President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that he would not proceed with planned tariffs on European allies following discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte over Arctic security and Greenland.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump said the tariffs scheduled to take effect on February 1 would be cancelled after the two sides agreed on what he described as a “framework of a future deal”. He did not provide details of the agreement.

The decision marked a sharp reversal from Trump’s earlier remarks the same day, when he had reiterated his desire for the United States to acquire Greenland, insisting on “right, title and ownership” of the island, while claiming military force would not be used.

Greenland remarks trigger concern among allies

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump described Greenland as strategically important for global security, citing threats in the Arctic region from Russia and China. He argued that the US had long protected Europe and suggested that acquiring Greenland was a reasonable demand in that context.

Trump said he did not intend to use military force, but warned that pressure could increase if negotiations failed. His comments raised concerns among European leaders and NATO members, as Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty.

Denmark and other NATO allies have consistently stated that Greenland is not for sale. Danish officials have said they are open to discussions on security cooperation but stressed that sovereignty remains a non-negotiable issue.

Denmark and Greenland respond

After Trump’s speech, a Danish government official said Copenhagen was willing to discuss US security concerns, but made it clear that Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland was a firm red line.

Greenland’s government, meanwhile, advised residents to be prepared for potential crises. Authorities released guidance urging citizens to keep basic supplies at home for several days. Some residents said they viewed Trump’s statements as threats but preferred to be cautious.

Local voices in Greenland expressed concern over the rhetoric, with residents describing the remarks as unsettling and dismissive of the island’s people and identity.

Tariff threat eased, tensions remain

Trump had earlier warned that the US could impose import tariffs starting at 10 percent on Denmark and seven other European allies, potentially rising to 25 percent by June, unless negotiations progressed. Those threats drew strong responses from European leaders, who warned of firm and united countermeasures if tariffs were imposed.

Economists cautioned that renewed trade tensions could disrupt economic stability on both sides of the Atlantic. Markets reacted nervously to the tariff threats before recovering later in the day.

Despite cancelling the immediate tariff plan, Trump continued to push for negotiations over Greenland, framing the issue as one of long-term national and international security.

The Congress staged a protest in Bhopal on Tuesday, escalating pressure on the Madhya Pradesh government after the Supreme Court sharply criticised the delay in taking action against state minister Kunwar Vijay Shah over his derogatory remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

The demonstration followed the apex court’s direction to the Mohan Yadav-led government to take a decision within two weeks on granting sanction for Shah’s prosecution. The court observed that the state had been sitting on the report submitted by a special investigation team for several months.

Led by Congress state general secretary Amit Sharma, party workers carried out a symbolic protest by parading a man wearing a mask resembling Vijay Shah, with his hands tied, outside the Pradesh Congress office. The protesters later marched to a nearby police station and symbolically “handed over” the masked man, demanding immediate legal action against the minister.

Addressing reporters, Sharma accused the government of shielding Shah despite the gravity of his remarks. He said Colonel Qureshi was a “daughter of the nation” who brought honour to the country and alleged that the BJP government was protecting a minister who insulted a woman officer of the Indian Army. Sharma demanded Shah’s immediate removal from the cabinet.

Background of the controversy

Vijay Shah came under fire in May last year for making derogatory and discriminatory remarks while speaking at a public event in Indore. Referring to Operation Sindoor, Shah said, “They stripped and killed our Hindus, and Modi ji sent their sister to their house to teach them a lesson.” The comment triggered widespread outrage, with critics accusing him of disrespecting Colonel Qureshi.

Shah later described the remark as a “linguistic mistake” and said he was prepared to apologise multiple times. A Supreme Court-appointed team investigated the matter and submitted its report, but the state government has yet to grant sanction for prosecution.

During a recent hearing, the Supreme Court told the Madhya Pradesh government that it had been holding on to the SIT report since August 19, 2025, despite the statute placing an obligation on it to act.

Congress leaders described the court’s remarks as a moral and political setback for the ruling dispensation. Sharma said the Supreme Court’s order showed that the truth had prevailed and accused the government of deliberately delaying action to protect a minister.

Protests intensify in Bhopal

Separately, Youth Congress workers protested outside Vijay Shah’s bungalow in Bhopal, smearing black paint on the nameplate and raising slogans against him.

Reacting to the developments, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Umang Singhar said on social media that the issue went beyond a single statement and reflected an “insensitive and hateful mindset flourishing under the protection of power”. He added that there could be no compromise on the honour of the Indian Army and its women, and that the law must apply equally to ministers as well.

During the Supreme Court hearing, senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Shah, informed the bench that the minister had apologised and was cooperating with the investigation. However, the bench rejected the apology, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarking that it was delayed and inadequate, and that the court had already commented on its nature.

Neither Chief Minister Mohan Yadav nor the BJP has issued an official response to the Supreme Court’s observations so far.

Taking charge as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s national president on Tuesday, Nitin Nabin moved swiftly to shape his leadership footprint by announcing a series of key organisational appointments linked to upcoming Assembly and municipal elections. The decisions are being viewed within party circles as an early indication of Nabin’s priorities and the team he may rely on going forward.

One of Nabin’s first decisions was appointing BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde as the election in-charge for the Kerala Assembly elections. Tawde has also been named an observer for the Chandigarh mayoral elections. Among the most senior leaders in the party’s organisational setup, Tawde currently oversees Bihar, where the NDA registered a sweeping victory in the recent Assembly elections.

His expanded role is being seen as a sign of growing trust and a possible elevation in stature within the party’s central leadership. Alongside him, Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje has been appointed as the co-in-charge for the Kerala polls.

Ram Madhav returns to organisational spotlight

Another notable appointment is that of Ram Madhav as the in-charge for the Bengaluru municipal corporation elections. Madhav previously served as a national general secretary during Amit Shah’s tenure as BJP president and played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir politics, including during the formation of the BJP–PDP alliance in 2015.

After being sent back to the RSS in 2020, Madhav’s return to active organisational responsibilities became clearer when he was appointed election in-charge for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections in 2024. His latest assignment is being interpreted as a signal of a larger role ahead and renewed backing from the RSS.

Former Rajasthan BJP president Satish Poonia has been named co-in-charge for the Bengaluru civic polls, along with Maharashtra MLA Sanjay Upadhyay. Poonia, who has been seeking a political comeback after his Assembly election defeat, has recently handled responsibilities in Haryana and Bihar.

Focus on younger leadership in Telangana

In another significant move, Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar has been appointed in-charge for the Telangana municipal corporation elections. Considered one of the younger faces in the Maharashtra BJP, Shelar is known to be close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and has previously led the Maharashtra Yuva Morcha.

Former Rajasthan BJP president Ashok Parnami and Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma will assist Shelar as co-in-charges. Shelar’s appointment is also being seen as a reflection of his close working relationship with Nitin Nabin and an emphasis on grooming leaders with organisational experience.

Together, these early appointments suggest that Nabin’s tenure may focus on blending senior organisational hands with relatively younger leaders, as the BJP prepares for a series of crucial electoral battles.