Trump's Greenland Tariff Threat Faces Staunch European Resistance

Tue Jan 20 2026 01:57:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Donald Trump reaffirms his commitment to impose tariffs on European nations opposing US claims over Greenland, as European leaders unite to defend the territory's sovereignty.

In a contentious turn of events, Donald Trump has pledged to impose tariffs on several European nations in response to their resistance against the US claim on Greenland. Denmark and other European allies have firmly opposed this move, emphasizing the importance of Greenland's sovereignty. Diplomatic tensions rise as leaders prepare for an upcoming EU summit to strategize their collective response.

Donald Trump has vowed to 100% follow through on his threat to impose tariffs on European countries who oppose his demand for control of Greenland.

European allies have rallied around Greenland's sovereignty, with Denmark’s foreign minister insisting that the US president cannot threaten his way to ownership of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reiterated that the future of Greenland is a decision for Greenlanders and for the Danes alone.

Trump has declined to rule out the use of force and insisted he will move ahead with the tariffs, which he says will apply to goods coming from the UK and seven other NATO allies.

As he explained to NBC News, Trump plans to impose a 10% tariff on any goods from the UK, potentially escalating to 25% by June of next year. Countries affected include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.

When questioned about the possibility of using force to seize Greenland, Trump replied, No comment. He added, Europe ought to focus on the war with Russia and Ukraine because, frankly, you see what that’s gotten them... That’s what Europe should focus on - not Greenland..

In response, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen emphasized that the threats posed by Trump are not the way forward and stated, You can't threaten your way to ownership of Greenland. I have no intention of escalating this situation..

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte affirmed the alliance's commitment to working with Denmark and Greenland on Arctic security, while Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, noted that the bloc has no interest to pick a fight, but we will hold our ground.

The EU is set to convene an emergency summit to discuss how to respond to Trump’s provocative tariffs on its member states. Kallas concluded, Trade threats are not the way to go about this. Sovereignty is not for trade..