Washington, United States. President Donald Trump said he would impose rising tariffs on several European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland, escalating a dispute over the Danish Arctic territory.
Tariff timeline and countries targeted
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said additional 10% import tariffs would take effect on February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Great Britain, which are already subject to tariffs imposed by Trump. He said the tariffs would increase to 25% on June 1 and would continue until a deal was reached for the United States to purchase Greenland.
Denmark and Greenland reject purchase proposal
Trump has said he will settle for nothing less than ownership of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Leaders of Denmark and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and does not want to be part of the United States. A Reuters/Ipsos poll of U.S. residents this week found that less than one in five respondents support the idea of acquiring Greenland.
Security and minerals cited as motivation
Trump has said Greenland is vital to U.S. security because of its strategic location and large mineral deposits, and has not ruled out using force to take it. European nations this week sent military personnel to the island at Denmark’s request. “These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable,” Trump wrote.
Protests and allied warnings
Protesters in Denmark and Greenland demonstrated on Saturday against Trump’s demands and called for the territory to be left to determine its own future. The countries named by Trump have backed Denmark, warning that a U.S. military seizure of a territory in NATO could collapse the military alliance that Washington leads.
How do you think the tariff threat could affect relations between the United States and its European allies?