US President Donald Trump stepped up his push for Greenland on Saturday, imposing a 10% import tax on goods from eight European countries starting in February over their opposition to US control of Greenland. He warned that on June 1 he may impose tariffs of up to 25% until Danish territory is secured.
“On June 1, 2026, the tariff will be increased to 25%. This tariff will be due and payable until an agreement is reached for the full and complete purchase of Greenland,” he wrote on Truth Social.
What did Trump say?
Trump said: “These countries playing this very dangerous game have introduced a level of risk that is not sustainable or sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative that strong action be taken to protect global peace and security to end this potentially dangerous situation quickly and without question.”
He said the US has long subsidized Denmark and other European Union countries by not imposing tariffs or demanding other forms of compensation. He went on to say that the time had come for Denmark to repay this support, claiming that global peace was at risk. According to him, China and Russia are seeking control over Greenland and Denmark is powerless to stop them.
“Hundreds of billions of dollars are currently being spent on security programs that have to do with the ‘Dome’, including the possible protection of Canada, and this very ingenious but very complex system can operate to its maximum potential and effectiveness, because of angles, metas and borders, if this Earth is included in it,” he said.
Trump ended his statement by saying that the US is ready to open negotiations with Denmark or any of these countries, which he claims have “taken so much risk”, despite the protection and support that the US has given them for many decades.
His move comes after a week of meetings in Washington involving Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, senior Trump administration officials and members of Congress, including Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt.
The United States, Denmark and Greenland remain deadlocked over the future of the world’s largest island, although officials agreed this week to form a working group to deal with the diplomatic dispute.
As Bloomberg reports, Denmark has invited NATO allies to participate in training exercises in Greenland, and several European countries have already sent personnel to the island. According to a Danish military official, the US is among the countries included in the invitation.