Topline
President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he will impose a 10% tariff on eight European countries that have this week sent military personnel to Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark that that president is attempting to take over.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday he would be imposing tariffs on European countries who have sent military aid to Greenland.
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Key Facts
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland will face the tariff—effective Feb. 1— “on any and all goods sent to the United States of America,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
The tariff will increase to 25% on June 1, according to Trump, who said the payments will be due until his proposed purchase of Greenland is complete.
Trump reiterated that China and Russia also want Greenland, writing “there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it” and that it’s “time for Denmark to give back” at the stake of world peace.
His announcement comes just a day after threatening potential tariffs during a White House roundtable discussion: “We need Greenland with national security, so I may do that.”
Crucial Quote
“These countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable,” Trump said. “Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question.”
Key Background
Trump’s announcement is in retaliation against countries that earlier in the week began providing military aid to Greenland. The intention, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Thursday, was “to establish a more permanent military presence with a larger Danish contribution.” Trump has reignited his attempts to take control of Greenland this month, even suggesting he could use military force, writing on X Wednesday that “anything less than” a U.S. takeover of Greenland would be “unacceptable.” However, after a visit from Greenmark and Denmark leaders to the White House on Wednesday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the U.S. and Denmark still have a “fundamental disagreement” about Greenland.
Chief Critics
Kemi Badnoch, leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, called the tariffs a “terrible idea” that Trump is “completely wrong” to impose on the UK: “These tariffs will be yet another burden for businesses across our country. The sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by the people of Greenland.” Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats in the UK, said Trump is punishing the country and its allies “just for doing the right thing,” calling on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer “to stand firm against the bully in the White House, and work with European and Commonwealth allies to make him back down from this reckless plan.”
What Goods Would Be Affected By The Tariffs?
The trade agreement between the European Union and the U.S. is considered one of the best economic relationships in the world, with the U.S. being the EU’s top trading partner for exports and second behind China for imports. Goods exported to the U.S. from Europe include medicinal and pharmaceutical products, road vehicles and industrial machinery and equipment, according to the Council of the European Union.
A Precursor To The End Of Nato?
Trump’s announcement adds to rising tensions with NATO, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen signaling NATO’s demise if the U.S. were to attack Greenland. According to The Guardian, Frederiksen said “if the United States decides to militarily attack another Nato country, then everything would stop – that includes Nato and therefore post-second world war security.” Similarly, Nicole Covey, a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, told Global News an attack would be “the end of the alliance. I do not see how the alliance would survive such an event.” NATO was created in 1949 as a collective alliance against the Soviet influence in Europe and is currently comprised of 32 countries across North America and Europe.
Further Reading
U.S. And Denmark Still Have ‘Fu