WashingtonPresident Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has decided to impose 10% tariffs on a number of countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, and the Netherlands, for opposing his plan to seize control of Greenland. This move may have an impact on the United States' relations with several EU members. The tariffs will take effect on February 1st.
The 79-year-old Republican president also threatened to impose 25% tariffs starting on June 1 if an agreement is not reached for "the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland" in a lengthy post on Truth Social. Additionally, he defended his plan by pointing out that Denmark is powerless to stop China and Russia from gaining control of Greenland.
For many years, we have provided subsidies to Denmark, the European Union, and other nations by not imposing tariffs or any other kind of compensation. "Now, after centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back—world peace is at stake," Trump declared.
Trump declared that no one would be permitted to "touch this sacred piece of Land" and that only the US, under his leadership, could prevent this from occurring. He asserted that the "safety, security, and survival" of the planet are in grave danger and that the entire world is at risk.
"These nations have created a level of risk that is neither sustainable nor tenable by engaging in this extremely risky game. Strong action must therefore be taken to ensure that this potentially dangerous situation ends swiftly and unquestionably in order to safeguard global peace and security," he stated.
"All of the aforementioned nations (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland) will be subject to a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the United States of America as of February 1st, 2026. The tariff will be raised to 25% on June 1st, 2026," he continued.
He claimed that Denmark has consistently rejected attempts by a number of US presidents to reach an agreement for Greenland. However, he stated that the Golden Dome and contemporary weaponry have made the acquisition of Greenland imperative.
He stated that "despite everything the US has done for them over decades," his administration is willing to engage in talks with Denmark and other European countries that have taken significant risks.
"Hundreds of billions of dollars are currently being spent on security programs related to "The Dome," including for the potential protection of Canada, and this very brilliant but extremely complex system can only operate at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this land is included in it," Trump stated.
Greenland is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, a member of the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and Trump has insisted for months that the United States should have control over it. EU leaders, however, have stated that Denmark and Greenland ought to have the authority to decide on territorial matters.
Additionally, US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland earlier this week in Washington. While Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has stated that he would prefer Denmark over the United States if given the option, Denmark is also stepping up its military presence in the Artic island.
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