Trump warns he could impose tariffs on countries opposed to US controlling Greenland

Trump’s tariff threat

“I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security. So I may do that,” he said.

Though in January 2025, Trump had threatened to impose “very high” tariffs against Denmark and refused to rule out “economic force” to compel the transfer of Greenland to the US, this is the first time he has threatened other countries.

First formal talks on Greenland

Trump’s comments come days after the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland met Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington for the first formal talks on the US acquiring the semiautonomous territory from its NATO ally.

Following the meeting, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described it as ending in a “fundamental disagreement,” as Denmark maintains that Greenland is not for sale.

What European leaders say

European leaders have insisted that it is only for Denmark and Greenland to decide on matters concerning the territory, and Denmark said this week that it was increasing its military presence in Greenland in cooperation with allies.

Despite opposition, even from within the Republican Party, Trump has been adamant about acquiring the mineral-rich, strategically important island.

Earlier this week, Trump said that anything less than the Arctic island being in US hands would be “unacceptable.”