Donald Trump Vows 10% Tariffs on Denmark, UK, France, Others Over Greenland Dispute

US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced plans to impose additional import tariffs on eight European nations, escalating tensions after they opposed his demand that the United States be allowed to purchase Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said 10% tariffs would take effect from February 1 on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Great Britain. He added that the tariffs would rise to 25% from June 1 and remain in place until the US is permitted to buy Greenland.

Trump has repeatedly insisted that Greenland is vital to US national security due to its strategic Arctic location and mineral resources, and has said he would accept nothing less than ownership of the island. Denmark and Greenland, however, have firmly rejected the idea, stating the territory is not for sale and does not wish to become part of the US.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that fewer than 20% of Americans support acquiring Greenland.

European leaders reacted sharply to Trump’s announcement, warning that linking tariffs to territorial demands could undermine NATO unity. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the move was “surprising,” while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “completely wrong” to penalise allies for defending collective security.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa expressed “full solidarity” with Denmark and Greenland, cautioning that tariffs would damage transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous escalation.

Several European countries reiterated support for Denmark, and Cyprus, which currently holds the EU presidency, called an emergency meeting of EU ambassadors to discuss the issue.

Trump’s threat has also raised concerns over the future of recent US-EU and US-UK trade agreements, which had established baseline tariffs of 15% and 10%, respectively. Trade experts warned that unilateral tariff hikes could derail parliamentary approval of those deals.

While Trump cited growing Chinese and Russian activity in the Arctic as justification, European officials noted that Greenland is already protected under NATO’s collective defence pact and hosts a long-standing US military base.

The dispute has triggered protests in Denmark and Greenland, with demonstrators calling for the island’s right to determine its own future.

Read Also : Shimla News : 9 Drug Peddlers Arrested With Heroin in Shimla