Trump slaps tariffs on UK, NATO allies to force Greenland sale
US President Donald Trump
Abdullateef Fowewe
United States President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum today, announcing steep tariffs on key European nations to pressure Denmark into selling Greenland to the United States, warning that China and Russia pose an existential threat to global security.
The tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland will commence on February 1, and then increase to 25% on June 1, until the U.S. is able to purchase Greenland, according to the president.
In a statement on Saturday, Trump accused Denmark and the European Union of freeloading for years, noting, “We have subsidised Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration.
“Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back – World Peace is at stake!”
He painted a dire picture of Greenland’s defenses, mocking them as “two dogsleds as protection, one added recently,” and insisted, “Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that! Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land.”
Trump highlighted recent visits by officials from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland to Greenland “for purposes unknown,” calling it “a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.”
To force a deal, he outlined escalating tariffs starting February 1, 2026: a 10% levy on all goods from those eight countries entering the U.S., rising to 25% on June 1.
These measures will persist “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
The president tied the push to national security, referencing “The Golden Dome” missile defense system, which he said requires Greenland’s inclusion for optimal coverage: “Hundreds of Billions of Dollars are currently being spent on Security Programs having to do with ‘The Dome,’ this very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it.”
Trump noted the US has pursued Greenland for over 150 years, with multiple presidents trying and failing.
He extended an olive branch, stating the US is “immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries.”
