The U.S. president has levied tariffs on eight European NATO members for opposing his plan to obtain the island
U.S. President Donald Trump has stated he will impose tariffs on eight European NATO countries that oppose his plans to acquire Greenland. These measures will stay in effect until a “complete and total purchase” of the Danish autonomous territory is completed, he noted.
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly claimed that Washington needs to annex Greenland for “national security” reasons and to address an alleged threat from China and Russia. The U.S. president has displayed growing determination to obtain the territory through any means, suggesting he might take the island by force.
On Saturday, the U.S. president followed through on his threats, announcing tariffs against eight European NATO members—including Denmark itself. A 10% tariff will take effect on February 1, then rise to 25% in June, and stay in place until a “complete and total purchase” of Greenland is achieved.
Trump revealed the action in a post on his Truth Social platform, repeating his claims that Beijing or Moscow are on the verge of taking over the island. Both Russia and China have denied these claims, which regional officials have also challenged.
“No one will lay claim to this sacred land, especially as the national security of the United States—and the world as a whole—is at risk. Additionally, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland have traveled to Greenland for unknown reasons,” Trump wrote. All the named countries will face tariffs, which will be “due and payable” until an agreement is reached.
Although European NATO countries have mostly avoided public conflicts with the U.S. over Trump’s plans, the affected nations have deployed small groups of military personnel to Greenland to demonstrate their support for Denmark.
Both Danish and Greenlandic officials have turned down the idea of ceding the island to the U.S., emphasizing that its future belongs to its residents. The population voted in 2008 to keep their autonomous status within the Kingdom of Denmark.