Trump Threatens Europe With Tariffs to Push U.S. Takeover of Greenland
U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped up efforts to push for American control of Greenland, threatening major trade penalties against several European countries if they continue to oppose the move.
Trump said the United States could impose heavy tariffs on exports from countries including Denmark, warning that duties could rise as high as 25 percent. Greenland, which is governed by Denmark and has a population of about 57,000, is seen by Washington as strategically important because of its mineral resources and its position along key Arctic trade and security routes.
The president also criticised Denmark and other NATO allies for increasing their military presence on the island, calling the deployments provocative and a risk to global security. He argued that strong economic pressure was necessary to force a resolution.
According to Trump, countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland could face a 10 percent tariff on all goods exported to the U.S. starting February 1. He added that the tariff would increase to 25 percent by June 1 and remain in place until an agreement is reached for what he described as the full purchase of Greenland.
Trump warned that Europe’s actions were dangerous and said the proposed measures were aimed at restoring stability and protecting global peace. However, it is unclear what legal authority would allow the U.S. to impose such tariffs on allied nations, particularly fellow NATO members.
If implemented, the move would represent a major escalation in tensions between the United States and its European partners, coming amid Trump’s broader push for aggressive trade policies since returning to office.
