Trump Threatens Tariffs on Countries Opposing Greenland Takeover

Sat Jan 17 2026 15:12:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent White House meeting, President Trump has suggested the imposition of tariffs on nations opposing his Greenland annexation ambitions.

President Donald Trump warned of potential tariffs on countries that do not support his proposal to annex Greenland, a territory currently governed by Denmark. As he expressed his intentions, a bipartisan congressional delegation was simultaneously visiting Greenland, advocating for local interests while discussing international concerns over Trump's approach. The geopolitical implications of this threat are profound, with many nations rallying to support Denmark and cautioning against military action in NATO’s defense framework.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to place tariffs on nations that do not go along with his ambitions to annex Greenland.

Trump said at a White House meeting that he may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland, which is a self-governing territory controlled by Denmark.

He did not specify which countries might be hit with new tariffs, or what authority he would invoke to use such import taxes in pursuit of his goal.

Along with Denmark and Greenland, other countries oppose his plans, and many in the US have expressed scepticism about an acquisition. As Trump spoke, a bipartisan congressional delegation was visiting Greenland to show support for the territory.

The 11-member group included Republicans who voiced concerns about the president's calls for the US to somehow acquire Greenland for national security reasons. They met MPs as well as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Group leader Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat, said their trip was to listen to the locals and take their views back to Washington to lower the temperature.

Trump has stated that Greenland is crucial for US security - asserting that Washington would obtain it the easy way or the hard way - which seemingly refers to either purchasing the island or taking it by force.

I may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security, Trump emphasized at a recent White House meeting.

Greenland, while sparsely populated, is rich in resources and strategically located between North America and the Arctic, making it essential for early warning systems against missile threats and for monitoring maritime activities in the area.

The US already has over 100 military personnel stationed at its Pituffik base, a missile-monitoring station in Greenland that has operated since World War II.

Trump believes that formal ownership is necessary for proper defense against potential risks posed by Russia or China.

Denmark has issued warnings that any military action would jeopardize NATO, the alliance's core principle being mutual defense against external attacks.

European allies have rallied in support of Denmark, advocating for collaborative security in the Arctic region, which several nations, including France, Germany, and the UK, regard as a shared NATO responsibility.

The recent visit by the congressional delegation follows failed discussions in Washington, revealing a stark divide between the views of the White House and those of Greenland and Denmark.

The situation continues to unfold, with political tensions and international relationships at stake amid Trump's contentious proposals.