Trump Threatns Higher Tariffs on Eight European Countries Over Greenland Dispute

Washington, January 18, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose higher tariffs on imports from eight European countries, warning that the measures will stay in place until the United States is allowed to purchase Greenland.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said an additional 10 percent tariff would be imposed from February 1 on goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom. He added that the tariff would rise to 25 percent from June 1 unless an agreement is reached.
Trump argued that Greenland is strategically vital to US national security due to its location in the Arctic and its vast mineral resources. He claimed that Washington could consider “all options,” including the use of force, to secure control over the autonomous Danish territory.
The announcement has intensified diplomatic tensions between the United States and its European allies. Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected any proposal to sell the island, insisting that Greenland’s future can only be decided by its people.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the tariff threat was “unexpected and deeply concerning.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly criticised the move, calling it “completely wrong to impose trade penalties on allies who are committed to NATO’s collective security.”
Several European countries have reportedly deployed military personnel to Greenland at Denmark’s request amid growing concerns over regional security.
Protests erupted across Denmark and Greenland on Saturday, with demonstrators demanding respect for Greenland’s autonomy and opposing any foreign pressure over the island’s future.