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By Hollie Silverman
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President Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Saturday that starting next month he'll enact a tariff for several European countries who don't support U.S. efforts to take control of Greenland.
Newsweek has reached out to NATO and the EU Parliament by email Saturday for comment.
Why It Matters
Warning competition from China and Russia in the Arctic, Trump has said in the past the U.S. needs the island for national security and has for months maintained that it should control Greenland, a self-governing territory within the kingdom of Denmark, whether monetarily or by military force. He had not previously suggested using tariffs to advance the idea.
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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.
Meanwhile, the policy of imposing and adjusting tariffs has been criticized in the past by some for potentially causing rifts between the U.S. and other countries, and for leading to higher prices for Americans as companies pass on the cost to them.
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!"
The president said that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland—all countries that have deployed forces to Greenland—will be subject to a 10 percent tariff starting 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.
The president said that tariff would rise to 25 percent on June 1 and would remain in place until a deal on Greenland is reached.
On Friday, during a roundtable event at the White House on rural healthcare investment, Trump said on Friday 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 with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The U.S. is also a part of NATO.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that France was deploying "land, air, and sea assets" in support of Greenland Friday.
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.
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Congressional Delegations Signal Bipartisan Dissent
While 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.
Members 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 committed to maintaining 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 failed to resolve the differences over how the situation moves forward but did produce an agreement to set up a working group, with Denmark and the White House later offering different perspectives on its purpose.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote in his Truth Social post on Saturday: “We have 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. Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently. Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that! Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake. On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.
He continued: "This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. 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. Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased 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. The United States has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years. Many Presidents have tried, and for good reason, but Denmark has always refused. Now, because of The Golden Dome, and Modern Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars are currently being spent on Security Programs having to do with “The Dome,” including for the possible protection of Canada, and this very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it. The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said after a White House meeting on Thursday, per ABC News: “It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland...That outcome [is] totally unacceptable.”
Senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said this week, per the AP: “I hope that the people of the Kingdom of Denmark do not abandon their faith in the American people.”
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former NATO Secretary-General and former Danish Prime Minister, recently told the Financial Times: “I am actually concerned that the world’s attention is now focused on something that does not represent a threat, neither to Europe nor to the United States—namely Greenland, a friendly ally of the United States—instead of focusing on what should be the focal point right now: namely, how can we force Putin to the negotiation table in Ukraine?”
What Happens Next
With tariff implementation dates soon approaching, U.S.–European tensions are set to intensify unless an agreement is reached.
European Union trade officials are reviewing possible countermeasures, while NATO diplomats warn of risks to alliance unity.
Protests and diplomatic negotiations are expected to continue in Denmark and Greenland.
Update 1/17/26, 12:57 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with more information.
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