US President Donald Trump on Saturday escalated his efforts to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25 percent until his purchase of the Danish territory is completed.
Trump targeted Denmark, a NATO ally, as well as several European countries that recently deployed troops to the vast, mineral-rich territory at the gateway to the Arctic, home to 57,000 people.
If realized, Trump’s threats could create unprecedented tension within the NATO alliance.
Starting February 1, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland would face a 10-percent tariff on all goods sent to the United States, Trump announced on his Truth Social network.
“On June 1, 2026, the tariff will increase to 25%. This tariff will be due and payable until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland,” he wrote.
He said these countries are “playing a very dangerous game” and that the situation is “untenable or unsustainable,” insisting that strong measures are needed to protect global peace and security.
It remains unclear what legal authority Trump would invoke to enforce the threatened 25 percent tariffs. Since returning to the presidency, he has implemented sweeping tariffs on goods from nearly all trading partners to address perceived unfair trade practices and as leverage in diplomatic negotiations.
