President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Saturday that he plans to impose tariffs starting next month on several European countries that he argues are not supporting U.S. efforts to take control of Greenland.
Why It Matters
Citing competition from China and Russia in the Arctic, Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. needs Greenland for national security and has for months insisted the United States should control the island—either through a financial arrangement or by military force. He had not previously suggested tariffs as a tool to push that goal.
European leaders, echoing Denmark’s position, have said the U.S. cannot assume control of the world’s largest island and have deployed troops to Greenland in support of its autonomy.
At the same time, Trump’s broader approach of imposing and adjusting tariffs has drawn criticism in the past, with opponents warning it can strain alliances and raise prices for Americans if businesses pass added costs to consumers.
What To Know
In his Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump wrote that the U.S. has “subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration,” adding that “now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!”
He said Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland—countries he noted have deployed forces to Greenland—would face a 10 percent tariff beginning February 1.
“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.
Trump added that the tariff would rise to 25 percent on June 1 and would remain in place until a deal over Greenland is reached.
On Friday, at a White House roundtable on rural healthcare investment, Trump said he may impose tariffs on those countries, saying, “We need Greenland for national security. So I may do that.”
European Troop Deployments and Protests
Trump’s announcement came as France, Germany, the U.K., Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands deployed troops to Greenland for joint military exercises with Danish forces and partners within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The U.S. is also a part of NATO.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that France was deploying “land, air, and sea assets” in support of Greenland.
In response, thousands of protesters gathered in Copenhagen and Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, staging “Hands Off Greenland” rallies and calling for respect for Greenlandic self-determination on Saturday.
Congressional Delegations Signal Bipartisan Dissent
Even as Trump doubled down, a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation traveled to Copenhagen and Greenland to reassure officials that many in Congress do not support any forced acquisition of the island, the Associated Press reported.
The delegation met with Danish and Greenlandic leaders and emphasized the historic partnership between the U.S. and the Danish Realm. Senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, led the group, which included Senators Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, and others who said they want to maintain diplomatic ties and “lowering the temperature” of the debate, according to the AP.
Earlier this week, officials from Greenland and Denmark traveled to the U.S. to meet with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the island’s future. That meeting did not resolve differences over what happens next, but it did produce an agreement to set up a working group—though Denmark and the White House later offered different perspectives on its purpose.
What Happens Next
With tariff implementation dates approaching, U.S.–European tensions are likely to intensify unless an agreement is reached.
European Union trade officials are reviewing possible countermeasures, while NATO diplomats warn of potential strain on alliance unity.
Protests and diplomatic negotiations are expected to continue in Denmark and Greenland.
