Trump warns of additional tariffs on nations opposing Greenland acquisition

US President Donald Trump has indicated his intention to impose tariffs on countries that do not support his desire to annex Greenland.

During a meeting at the White House, Trump stated he “might apply a tariff on nations if they don’t align with Greenland”, which is a self-governed region of Denmark.

He did not specify which nations could face new tariffs or the legal basis he would use to implement such import duties for his objective.

In addition to Denmark and Greenland, other nations oppose his aspirations, and many within the US have shown doubts regarding an acquisition. While Trump addressed this, a bipartisan congressional team was in Greenland to offer support for the territory.

The delegation of 11 included Republicans who expressed apprehension about the president’s demands for the US to find a way to acquire Greenland for national defense purposes. They met with MPs, including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat and the group leader, mentioned their visit aimed to hear the sentiments of locals and convey their insights back to Washington “to alleviate tensions”.

Trump has asserted that Greenland is crucial for national security – and that the US would secure it “either easily” or “with force” – seemingly referring to purchasing the territory or seizing it.

“I might put a tariff on nations if they don’t support Greenland, as we require Greenland for national security,” Trump commented at the White House meeting focused on rural health care.

Although Greenland is thinly populated, it is rich in resources, and its strategic location between North America and the Arctic positions it well for missile defense warning systems and monitoring vessels in that area.

The US currently maintains over 100 military personnel at its Pituffik base – a missile monitoring site at Greenland’s northwestern point operated by the US since World War II.

According to existing agreements with Denmark, the US possesses the authority to deploy as many troops as needed to Greenland.

However, Trump has stated that the US must “own” Greenland to effectively protect it from potential attacks by Russia or China.

Denmark has cautioned that any military intervention would threaten the survival of NATO – the trans-Atlantic defense alliance where the US is the most powerful member.

NATO operates under the principle that allies must assist one another in the event of an external attack – it has never confronted a scenario where one member would utilize force against another.

European allies have rallied in support of Denmark.

They have emphasized that the Arctic region is of equal importance to them and that its security should be a collective NATO responsibility – with US involvement.

Consequently, several nations, including France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the UK, have sent a small contingent of troops to Greenland for a reconnaissance mission.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that “land, air, and sea acumen” would soon be deployed.

The arrival of the US congressional delegation follows unsuccessful high-level discussions in Washington, designed to deter Trump from his intentions.

The group includes senators and representatives from the House who are strong proponents of NATO.

Although Coons and most participants are Democrats who staunchly oppose Trump, the group also includes moderate Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski.

Greenlandic MP Aaja Chemnitz expressed that the encounter with US lawmakers left her “optimistic”. She shared with the BBC: “We need friends. We require allies.”

When queried about the significant divide between the White House perspective and that of Greenland and Denmark, she remarked: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

“The pressure from the US has been apparent since 2019. It would be naive to think that this issue is concluded now.”

She added: “Things are shifting almost by the hour. Therefore, the more support we can gather, the better.”

Murkowski is backing a bipartisan proposal aimed at preventing any attempt to annex Greenland.

A Republican congressman has also proposed a competing bill advocating for the annexation of the island.

Trump’s representative to Greenland, Jeff Landry, stated on Fox News on Friday that the US should negotiate with Greenland’s leaders rather than with Denmark.

“I genuinely believe a deal should happen and will occur once this unfolds,” he remarked.

“The president is earnest. He has set the parameters.

“He has communicated his expectations to Denmark, and now it is a question of Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio and Vice-President JD Vance finalizing an agreement.

“The United States has always been a welcoming entity. We do not intervene seeking to dominate or seize another country.

“We advocate, ‘We represent freedom. We embody economic power. We offer protection.’

The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland engaged with Vance and Rubio at the White House on Wednesday.

A Danish official revealed to the BBC, under condition of anonymity, that the US vice-president suggested trying to find a “compromise” that would please Trump while addressing the concerns of Denmark and Greenland.

The official noted that the idea of a US military takeover of Greenland was not broached in the White House discussions.

“We have never engaged in any talks with any high-ranking official or minister regarding the potential of the United States deploying” troops in Greenland, the official stated.

Nonetheless, the Danish official indicated that Denmark is taking Trump’s expressed intention to acquire Greenland seriously.

“We operate under the assumption that what he states, he means,” the official concluded.