President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States will impose new tariffs on Denmark and seven other European countries unless negotiations lead to what he described as the “Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
Under the plan, Trump said a 10% tariff would take effect immediately on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland. The duties would rise to 25% on June 1 if no agreement is reached.
“China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!” he added.
Trump also cited recent joint security exercises involving Denmark and other European nations near Greenland, calling them a “very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.”
“Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question,” Trump wrote.
The announcement marks a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and some of its closest European allies. Any direct confrontation risks undermining decades of transatlantic security cooperation under NATO.
The move also raises questions about existing trade agreements. The United States currently has a framework with the European Union that caps tariffs at 15%, as well as a separate agreement limiting tariffs on U.K. imports to 10%. It was not immediately clear whether the newly announced tariffs would override those agreements or apply on top of them.
The European Union is the largest trading partner of the United States and its biggest source of imports.
The European Commission, which negotiates trade policy for EU member states, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Foreign ministries from seven of the affected countries also did not immediately reply. Germany’s foreign ministry said it was coordinating a response with other EU members.
French President Emmanuel Macron said “no intimidation nor threat will influence us,” adding that “tariff threats are unacceptable.” Macron said he would consult European partners on how to respond.
The dispute comes amid heightened military activity in Greenland. Last week, European troops began arriving on the island in a show of support for the Danish territory.
On Wednesday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sweden, at Denmark’s request, had sent military officers to assist with planning the Danish-allied joint security exercise “Operation Arctic Endurance.”
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Friday, following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, that “it’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland.” Rasmussen added that he told the Trump administration “this is not in the interest of the kingdom.”
The tariff threat comes as the Trump administration faces ongoing cost-of-living pressures at home. In November, the administration rolled back some food tariffs. Trump has also pushed for a 10% cap on credit card interest rates and ordered government-controlled entities to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds in an effort to lower mortgage rates.
Economists warn that increased tariffs on European goods could raise prices for U.S. consumers, affecting products ranging from pharmaceuticals to aircraft components. Germany, one of the countries targeted, is a major exporter of industrial and pharmaceutical goods to the United States.
“President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland,” Kemi Badenoch, leader of the U.K.’s Conservative Party, said on social media. “People in both UK and US will face higher costs.”
As of Saturday, the U.K. had sent one military officer to Greenland, according to Sky News.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., defended the president’s position, saying on Fox News that Trump “is right that Greenland is vital for the national security interests of the United States.” Cotton added that “the best decision probably would be to acquire Greenland from Denmark.”
It remains unclear under what legal authority the tariffs would be imposed. The administration has relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to apply tariffs on the U.K. and the EU. The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on whether that law allows Trump to impose country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs.
(NBC)