US President Donald J. Trump has announced plans to impose tariffs on several European countries, including Denmark, citing what he described as growing global security risks linked to Greenland.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Trump claimed that the United States had long subsidised Denmark and other European Union nations through favourable trade arrangements and security support. He argued that Greenland has become strategically critical amid what he described as interest from China and Russia, warning that “world peace is at stake”.
Trump asserted that Denmark lacked the capacity to protect Greenland and said only the United States could ensure the security of the territory. He also alleged that several European countries — including Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland — had recently engaged in unexplained activities related to Greenland, calling the situation “dangerous and unsustainable”.
As a result, Trump announced that starting February 1, 2026, the United States would impose a 10 percent tariff on all goods imported from the named countries. He said the tariff would be increased to 25 percent from June 1, 2026, and would remain in place until a deal is reached for what he described as the “complete and total purchase of Greenland”.
Trump stated that the US had sought to acquire Greenland for more than 150 years and said modern security systems, including missile defence infrastructure, made the territory increasingly important. He added that Washington remains open to negotiations with Denmark and other affected countries.
The announcement is expected to draw strong reactions from European governments and further strain transatlantic trade relations.