US President Donald Trump has warned that countries opposing his push for American control of Greenland could face trade tariffs, intensifying pressure on Denmark and its allies over the strategic Arctic territory.
Speaking during a roundtable discussion at the White House on Friday, Trump openly linked potential trade penalties to his Greenland ambitions, describing tariffs as a possible tool to advance US national security interests.
“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.”
The president compared the possible move to tariff threats he issued last year against France and Germany during disputes over pharmaceutical pricing, underscoring his willingness to use trade measures to pursue broader foreign policy objectives.
Trump’s comments represent the latest escalation in his campaign to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory under Denmark, which is also a NATO member. He has repeatedly argued that the United States needs Greenland for strategic and security reasons, citing concerns over rising Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic.
At various points, Trump has also suggested that military force could be considered if diplomatic options fail.
European leaders have largely rallied behind Denmark and Greenland, responding to Trump’s remarks with renewed expressions of solidarity. Several countries have reinforced military deployments in the Arctic, highlighting growing concerns about regional security and sovereignty.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress arrived in Copenhagen on Friday, seeking to publicly reaffirm American support for Denmark and Greenland amid the mounting tensions.
Diplomatic efforts to defuse the dispute have made little headway. Talks held on Wednesday between Trump administration officials and the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland reportedly ended in what the ministers described as “fundamental disagreement.”
Despite the impasse, the White House announced that the United States, Denmark, and Greenland had agreed to form a working group that will meet every two to three weeks to continue discussions on Arctic security and cooperation.
Trump’s latest tariff threat adds an economic dimension to an already sensitive dispute, further straining transatlantic relations and raising fresh questions about the future of US ties with key NATO allies.
