Former US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose trade tariffs on countries that refuse to support his controversial plan to take over Greenland, an autonomous territory under NATO ally Denmark.
Speaking on Friday at a health roundtable at the White House, Trump said economic pressure could be used against nations opposing the move, which he described as essential to US national security.
“I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security,” Trump said, adding, “I may do that.”
Trump compared the potential Greenland-related tariffs to similar threats he previously issued against France and Germany over pharmaceutical pricing disputes.
The remarks mark the latest escalation in Trump’s long-standing bid to acquire the mineral-rich Arctic island. The Republican leader has repeatedly argued that Greenland is strategically vital to the United States and has accused its authorities of failing to adequately protect the territory from the influence of global rivals Russia and China. He has even suggested that military force could be an option if diplomatic efforts fail.
European nations have rallied behind Denmark and Greenland in response to the threats. In recent days, allied countries have sent troops to Greenland to underscore their support and reinforce security in the strategically important region.
In Washington, a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress arrived in Copenhagen on Friday to express formal backing for Denmark and Greenland, signaling resistance within the US political establishment to Trump’s aggressive stance.
Efforts to ease tensions have so far fallen short. The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland visited the White House on Wednesday for talks aimed at defusing the dispute, but later said they remained in “fundamental disagreement” with Trump.
Despite the deadlock, the White House confirmed on Thursday that the United States, Denmark and Greenland have agreed to establish a working group that will meet every two to three weeks to continue discussions on the issue.
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