President Donald Trump said the US will impose new tariffs on several European countries unless Denmark agrees to hand over Greenland, escalating his long-running push to bring the territory under American control. Trump said the tariffs would begin at 10% on February 1 and rise to as much as 25% by June if no agreement is reached.
The proposed tariffs would target Denmark as well as Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. Trump said the measures would remain in place until a deal is reached for what he described as the “complete and total purchase” of Greenland.
Trump has repeatedly framed Greenland as a national security priority, citing its strategic Arctic location between Russia and China, existing US military presence at Pituffik Space Base, and its reserves of critical natural resources. He has increasingly relied on tariffs as leverage in disputes he views through a national security lens.
The comments come as global leaders and executives gather in Davos for the World Economic Forum, where Trump is expected to speak. They also arrive as the US Supreme Court reviews whether the president has the authority to impose broad tariffs unilaterally, a decision that could limit his ability to carry out the threat.