Trump Threatens Tariffs on Countries Opposing US Claim Over Greenland

Trump cites national security concerns as Denmark, Greenland and NATO allies push back; Russia criticises Western ‘rules-based order’

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose trade tariffs on countries that oppose the United States’ plan to acquire Greenland, escalating tensions with allies and raising concerns about the future of transatlantic cooperation and Arctic security.

Speaking at a White House meeting, Trump said Greenland was vital to US national security, arguing that Washington must act to counter the growing presence of Russia and China in the Arctic region. He warned that countries resisting the US position could face economic consequences.

“I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security,” Trump said during a meeting on rural healthcare.

Trump did not specify which countries could face tariffs, nor did he clarify what legal authority he would invoke to impose such trade measures.

Why Is Greenland Strategically Important to the United States?

Greenland is a self-governing territory under the Kingdom of Denmark and is sparsely populated but resource-rich. Its location between North America and the Arctic makes it strategically significant for:

• Early-warning missile detection systems

• Monitoring military and commercial vessels in the Arctic

• Access to critical minerals and natural resources

The US already maintains a military presence at Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in north-western Greenland, a missile-monitoring station operated by the US since World War Two. More than 100 US military personnel are permanently stationed there.

Under existing defence agreements with Denmark, the US has the right to deploy additional troops to Greenland if required. However, Trump has argued that the US must “own” Greenland to defend it effectively against potential Russian or Chinese threats.

Denmark and Greenland Reject Trump’s Proposal

Both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected Trump’s demand to sell or transfer control of the territory.

Denmark has warned that any military action against Greenland would spell the end of NATO, the transatlantic defence alliance built on the principle that members defend one another against external attacks.

NATO has never faced a scenario in which one member uses force against another, and Danish officials have stressed that such a move would fundamentally undermine the alliance.

NATO Allies Rally Behind Denmark

Several NATO allies have publicly supported Denmark, emphasising that Arctic security must remain a collective responsibility.

Countries including France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have deployed small reconnaissance contingents to Greenland to demonstrate solidarity and enhance regional security cooperation.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that “land, air, and sea assets” would soon be sent as part of these efforts.

Trump, however, claimed that NATO has discussed Greenland with the US and reiterated that America’s military strength makes acquisition necessary.

US Congress Shows Unease Over Trump’s Plan

As Trump reiterated his stance, a bipartisan US congressional delegation was visiting Greenland to express support for the territory and to engage with local leaders.

The 11-member delegation included both Democrats and Republicans, some of whom voiced concerns about Trump’s repeated calls to acquire Greenland for national security reasons.

The group met:

• Members of the Greenlandic parliament

• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen

• Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen

Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat and leader of the delegation, said the visit aimed to “listen to the locals” and bring their views back to Washington “to lower the temperature”.

The delegation also included moderate Republican senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski, both known supporters of NATO.

Trump’s ‘Easy Way or Hard Way’ Remark Raises Alarm

Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland would be obtained either “the easy way or the hard way”, an apparent reference to purchasing the island or taking it by force.

Denmark and Greenland have strongly rejected such language, while European allies have warned that any use of force would trigger an unprecedented crisis within NATO.

Most Greenlanders are strongly opposed to Trump’s proposal, whether through purchase or coercion.

Greenlandic MP Aaja Chemnitz said the meeting with US lawmakers made her “hopeful”, adding:

“We need friends. We need allies. It’s a marathon, not a short sprint. The pressure from the US side is something we’ve seen since 2019.”

She noted that the situation was evolving rapidly and that international support remained crucial.

Russia Responds, Criticises Western ‘Rules-Based Order’

Russia said it has no intention of acquiring Greenland, but strongly criticised Western handling of the issue.

In a social media post, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the episode as evidence of the collapse of the West’s rules-based international order.

She added that Denmark’s long-standing policy of unconditional alignment with the United States had proven to be misguided.

Diplomatic Talks Fail to Shift US Position

High-level talks in Washington involving senior Danish and Greenlandic officials have failed to change the US stance.

Denmark has announced plans to increase its military presence in Greenland, signalling that it takes Trump’s statements seriously.

According to a Danish official who spoke on background:

• US Vice-President JD Vance proposed exploring a “middle ground”

• The possibility of a US military takeover was not raised directly

• Denmark nevertheless considers Trump’s statements to be credible and intentional

“It is our working hypothesis that on this issue, what he says is what he means,” the official said.

US Envoy Signals Push for Negotiations

Trump’s envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, said the US should negotiate directly with Greenland’s leadership rather than Denmark.

Speaking to Fox News, Landry said:

“I do believe that there’s a deal that should and will be made once this plays out.The president is serious. He’s laid the markers down.”

He added that the next phase would involve Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice-President JD Vance exploring potential agreements.

What’s at Stake?

The standoff over Greenland raises fundamental questions about:

• Territorial sovereignty

• The future of NATO

• US-Europe relations

• Arctic militarisation

• The credibility of the international rules-based order

As tensions rise, Greenland has emerged as a focal point in a broader struggle over great-power competition, alliance unity, and global governance.