Trump Threatens New Tariffs on European Allies Over Greenland Dispute
GeokHub
Washington, Jan 17, (GeokHub) U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with several European allies after vowing to impose sharply higher tariffs unless the United States is allowed to purchase Greenland, Denmark’s autonomous Arctic territory.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said the United States would introduce an additional 10% import tariff starting February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Great Britain. All eight countries are already subject to tariffs imposed during Trump’s previous trade actions.
According to Trump, the tariffs would rise to 25% by June 1 and remain in place until Washington reaches an agreement to acquire Greenland.
Greenland at the Center of a Growing Rift
Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland is strategically vital to U.S. national security, citing its Arctic location and significant mineral resources. He has also declined to rule out the use of force to secure control of the territory.
Denmark and Greenland have consistently rejected the idea, insisting the island is not for sale and that its future must be determined by its people. Protests against Trump’s demands were held on Saturday in both Denmark and Greenland, with demonstrators calling for respect for Greenland’s autonomy.
European officials have warned that any U.S. attempt to seize territory within NATO could seriously undermine the military alliance. Several European countries sent military personnel to Greenland this week at Denmark’s request, a move Trump criticized as escalating risk.
“These countries have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable,” Trump wrote, while adding that the United States remained open to negotiations.
European Response and Trade Concerns
Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said Trump’s tariff announcement came as a surprise. European Union leaders confirmed they were coordinating a joint response, emphasizing the bloc’s commitment to international law.
European Council President António Costa said the EU would be “very firm” in defending the sovereignty of its member states. Leaders from Sweden, Norway, France, and Germany reiterated their support for Denmark, rejecting the use of tariffs as leverage in discussions over Greenland.
“We will not let ourselves be blackmailed,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a post on X, adding that only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide the territory’s future.
Trade Deals at Risk
Analysts warn Trump’s threat could jeopardize tentative trade agreements reached last year between the United States, the European Union, and Great Britain. Those deals included baseline tariffs of 15% on EU imports and 10% on most British goods.
William Reinsch, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Trump’s approach could weaken support for future trade agreements in Europe. He also questioned the legal basis for using tariffs to pressure allies over territorial issues.
Trump has increasingly relied on tariffs as a tool to force compliance from both allies and adversaries. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of his broad tariff powers, a ruling that could have significant implications for global trade and presidential authority.
Security Reality on the Ground
Despite Trump’s claims, European officials note that Greenland is already covered by NATO’s collective defense agreement. The United States maintains a military presence at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, where around 200 U.S. personnel are stationed under a long-standing defense agreement with Denmark.
This has led some European policymakers to argue that Trump’s push reflects territorial ambition rather than unmet security needs.
