U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on countries that oppose his ambition to annex Greenland, a self-governing territory under Danish control.
Speaking at a White House meeting, Trump said he “may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland,” arguing that the island is vital to U.S. national security. He did not specify which countries could face tariffs or what legal authority he would use to impose them.
Trump’s remarks come amid growing international opposition to the proposal. Denmark, Greenland, and several U.S. allies have rejected the idea, while scepticism has also been voiced within the United States. As Trump spoke, a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation was visiting Greenland to express support for the territory and engage with local leaders.
The 11-member delegation, which included both Democrats and Republicans, met Greenlandic lawmakers as well as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. Senator Chris Coons, who led the group, said the visit aimed to listen to local concerns and take their views back to Washington “to lower the temperature.”
Trump has previously stated that the U.S. would acquire Greenland “the easy way or the hard way,” an apparent reference to purchasing the island or taking it by force. He reiterated that Greenland’s strategic location between North America and the Arctic makes it crucial for missile early-warning systems and regional security.
The United States already maintains more than 100 military personnel at its Pituffik base in northwest Greenland, a missile-monitoring facility operated since World War Two. Under existing agreements with Denmark, the U.S. can deploy additional troops to the island if needed. However, Trump has argued that the U.S. must “own” Greenland to properly defend it against potential Russian or Chinese threats.
Denmark has warned that any military action against Greenland would undermine Nato, whose core principle requires member states to defend one another against external attacks. European allies have rallied behind Denmark, stressing that Arctic security should remain a shared Nato responsibility. Several countries, including France, Germany, the UK, and Nordic states, have sent small reconnaissance contingents to Greenland.
Greenlandic MP Aaja Chemnitz said discussions with U.S. lawmakers had given her hope, noting that Greenland “needs friends and allies.” She added that U.S. pressure has persisted since 2019 and that the situation remains fluid.
Meanwhile, legislative efforts in the U.S. reflect deep divisions. A bipartisan bill has been introduced to block any attempt to annex Greenland, while a rival proposal supports the move. Trump’s envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, said negotiations should be held directly with Greenland’s leaders and expressed confidence that a deal could eventually be reached.
According to Danish officials, recent high-level talks in Washington explored potential compromises, though the prospect of a U.S. military takeover was not discussed. Nevertheless, Denmark has made clear it is taking Trump’s statements seriously.
Source: BBC
