Trump Escalates Greenland Bid with 10% Tariffs on Eight European Allies, Threatens 25% Hike
US President Donald Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on imports from eight European nations in direct response to their refusal to support his long-standing effort to purchase Greenland, the vast Arctic territory that remains an autonomous part of Denmark.
Announced via a post on Truth Social, the tariffs will apply to goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, taking effect on February 1. Trump stated that the rate would rise to 25% beginning June 1 unless the countries agree to the “complete and total purchase” of Greenland by the United States.
The president has long maintained that acquiring Greenland is critical for American national security, citing the island’s strategic location in the Arctic, its rich mineral resources, and the need to counter potential influence from China and Russia. He has emphasized existing US military access under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark but insists full ownership is necessary, including for advanced defense initiatives such as the proposed “Golden Dome” missile system.
The announcement follows recent deployments of military personnel from several targeted nations to Greenland, undertaken in coordination with Danish authorities to bolster Arctic security and demonstrate solidarity amid the dispute. European leaders have responded with sharp criticism. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the tariff threat “completely wrong,” stressing that Greenland’s status is a decision for Greenlanders and Danes alone. French President Emmanuel Macron described the approach as unacceptable, vowing a united European response to protect sovereignty. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expressed surprise at the move, noting it came shortly after constructive discussions with US officials, and reiterated that any sale remains out of the question.
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The European Union has voiced full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, with plans for an emergency meeting of ambassadors. Protests have taken place in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, and across Denmark, with crowds rejecting US acquisition efforts.
The tariffs risk straining transatlantic relations and trade ties at a time when the US already maintains certain duties on imports from these allies. Denmark and Greenlandic authorities continue to assert that the territory is not for sale, highlighting strong local opposition to any change in sovereignty.