Trump slaps 10% tariffs on Denmark, France, others from Feb 1 over Greenland issue
US President Donald Trump warned that the tariffs would rise to 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if no agreement is reached on Greenland, which he is eyeing, citing "national security" interests.
Turning his threat into action and reality, US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced sweeping tariffs on several European countries, including Denmark, escalating tensions over Greenland and framing the move as a matter of global security. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the US would impose a 10 per cent tariff on goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland starting February 1, 2026.
He warned that the tariff would rise to 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if no agreement is reached on Greenland.
The Republican leader said that the US had been "subsidising" European countries for centuries and that it was time now for Denmark to give back, since "World peace is at stake!"
"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. Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above-mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%".
EU WEIGHING RESPONSE TO TRUMP'S TARIFFS
European Council President Antonio Costa said on Saturday that the EU was very firm in defending international law, in response to a question about new tariff threats from Trump, adding he was coordinating an EU response on the issue.
"What we can say is that the European Union will always be very firm in defending international law, wherever it may be, which of course begins within the territory of the member states of the European Union," Costa told a press conference following the EU's signing of a free trade agreement with Mercosur and just after Trump's vow to hit European allies with tariffs for opposing his over desire to take over Greenland.
"For now, I am coordinating a joint response from the member states of the European Union on this issue," he added.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reacted to Trump's tariffs, asserting that China and Russia "must be having a field day" as they benefit from "division from allies."
"If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. We also cannot let our dispute distract us from the our core task of helping to end Russia’s war against Ukraine," she tweeted.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.
"Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole... The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US," she said.
SIGNIFICANCE OF TARIFFS
Trump delivered the tariff blow to the European countries, most of whom are close US allies, just a day after he warned that the US could impose tariffs on countries that do not support his push for American control of Greenland. The warning had already escalated tensions with European allies over the strategically important Arctic island.
Linking the issue directly to national and global security, Trump claimed that "China and Russia want Greenland" and asserted that Denmark was incapable of defending the territory.
Trump said the tariffs would remain in place “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.” He noted that the US has sought to acquire Greenland for over 150 years, with several presidents making attempts that were consistently rejected by Denmark.
"They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently," he said. "Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!"
The US President also alleged that multiple European countries had "journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown," calling it "a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet".
According to Trump, these actions have created risks that are "not tenable or sustainable," necessitating "strong measures" to ensure the situation ends "quickly, and without question".
He noted that the US has sought to acquire Greenland for over 150 years, with several presidents making attempts that were consistently rejected by Denmark.
Citing advances in military technology, Trump argued that acquiring Greenland has become even more critical.
He referred to the "Golden Dome" and modern offensive and defensive weapons systems, stating that the effectiveness of these security programmes depends on Greenland’s geographic positioning.
"This very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency if this land is included in it," he added.
Trump added that the US is "immediately open to negotiation" with Denmark and other affected countries, while reiterating that the measures are aimed at protecting "Global Peace and Security".
Previously, Trump has repeatedly used tariffs and economic pressure as tools of diplomacy.
His administration imposed punitive measures on countries purchasing Russian oil and, more recently, introduced wide-ranging sanctions targeting nations engaged in trade with Iran.
Turning his threat into action and reality, US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced sweeping tariffs on several European countries, including Denmark, escalating tensions over Greenland and framing the move as a matter of global security. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the US would impose a 10 per cent tariff on goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland starting February 1, 2026.
He warned that the tariff would rise to 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if no agreement is reached on Greenland.
The Republican leader said that the US had been "subsidising" European countries for centuries and that it was time now for Denmark to give back, since "World peace is at stake!"
"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. Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above-mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%".
EU WEIGHING RESPONSE TO TRUMP'S TARIFFS
European Council President Antonio Costa said on Saturday that the EU was very firm in defending international law, in response to a question about new tariff threats from Trump, adding he was coordinating an EU response on the issue.
"What we can say is that the European Union will always be very firm in defending international law, wherever it may be, which of course begins within the territory of the member states of the European Union," Costa told a press conference following the EU's signing of a free trade agreement with Mercosur and just after Trump's vow to hit European allies with tariffs for opposing his over desire to take over Greenland.
"For now, I am coordinating a joint response from the member states of the European Union on this issue," he added.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reacted to Trump's tariffs, asserting that China and Russia "must be having a field day" as they benefit from "division from allies."
"If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. We also cannot let our dispute distract us from the our core task of helping to end Russia’s war against Ukraine," she tweeted.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.
"Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole... The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US," she said.
SIGNIFICANCE OF TARIFFS
Trump delivered the tariff blow to the European countries, most of whom are close US allies, just a day after he warned that the US could impose tariffs on countries that do not support his push for American control of Greenland. The warning had already escalated tensions with European allies over the strategically important Arctic island.
Linking the issue directly to national and global security, Trump claimed that "China and Russia want Greenland" and asserted that Denmark was incapable of defending the territory.
Trump said the tariffs would remain in place “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.” He noted that the US has sought to acquire Greenland for over 150 years, with several presidents making attempts that were consistently rejected by Denmark.
"They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently," he said. "Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!"
The US President also alleged that multiple European countries had "journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown," calling it "a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet".
According to Trump, these actions have created risks that are "not tenable or sustainable," necessitating "strong measures" to ensure the situation ends "quickly, and without question".
He noted that the US has sought to acquire Greenland for over 150 years, with several presidents making attempts that were consistently rejected by Denmark.
Citing advances in military technology, Trump argued that acquiring Greenland has become even more critical.
He referred to the "Golden Dome" and modern offensive and defensive weapons systems, stating that the effectiveness of these security programmes depends on Greenland’s geographic positioning.
"This very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency if this land is included in it," he added.
Trump added that the US is "immediately open to negotiation" with Denmark and other affected countries, while reiterating that the measures are aimed at protecting "Global Peace and Security".
Previously, Trump has repeatedly used tariffs and economic pressure as tools of diplomacy.
His administration imposed punitive measures on countries purchasing Russian oil and, more recently, introduced wide-ranging sanctions targeting nations engaged in trade with Iran.