In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that the United States would implement sweeping tariffs against eight European nations in retaliation for their opposition to American ambitions regarding Greenland. The targeted countries include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland.
According to Trump’s social media announcement, a 10% tariff on all goods from these nations will take effect on February 1, 2026. These levies are scheduled to increase dramatically to 25% by June 1 unless an agreement is reached for the United States to acquire the Arctic territory of Greenland.
The tariff threat follows reports that several NATO members, including Britain, France, and Germany, deployed military assets and diplomatic personnel to Greenland this week in apparent opposition to U.S. territorial aspirations. Trump framed these actions as a ‘very dangerous game’ that created an unacceptable level of risk.
‘Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation ends quickly, and without question,’ Trump stated in his post.
The former president justified the proposed acquisition on national security grounds, asserting that American control of Greenland is necessary to protect U.S. interests. He simultaneously offered negotiations with Denmark ‘and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them.’
Greenland, while self-governing, remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which maintains authority over its defense and foreign policy. The United States already operates a strategic military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in obtaining Greenland, recently intensifying his rhetoric.
The announcement sparked immediate public backlash, with thousands of protesters gathering in Copenhagen on Saturday chanting slogans such as ‘Greenland is not for sale,’ demonstrating widespread European opposition to the proposition.