President Trump threatens tariffs on nations rejecting Greenland plan

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump warned on Friday, January 16, that his administration could impose tariffs on countries that opposed US efforts to take control of Greenland, framing the move as necessary for national security.

Speaking during a White House roundtable on rural health care, Trump linked the potential use of tariffs to his broader trade strategy.

His remarks came amid renewed diplomatic tensions with Denmark and Greenland, both of which have rejected any transfer of sovereignty. The comments marked Trump’s most explicit threat yet to use economic pressure to advance the proposal.

Trump raises tariffs as leverage in Greenland dispute

Trump made the comments after discussing his use of tariffs in other policy areas, suggesting similar measures could be applied in the Greenland dispute as well.

“I may do that for Greenland, too,” Trump claimed. “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security.”

The president did not specify which countries could face tariffs, what products might be targeted, or what legal authority would be used to impose the measures.

Although he hinted at France and Germany, the POTUS did not elaborate on how tariffs would directly lead to US control of the Arctic territory.

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt in Washington on Wednesday.

Danish officials said that the meeting was aimed at easing tensions and addressing security concerns directly.

“Our reason for seeking the meeting we have now been given was to move this whole discussion … into a meeting room where we can look each other in the eye and talk about these things,” Rasmussen said.  

Despite the talks, Danish and Greenlandic leaders continued to reject Trump’s proposal.

Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen said earlier this week that the territory would remain aligned with Denmark if forced to choose.

“If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark,” Nielsen said.

Trump responded by warning that opposing his efforts would create problems. “That’s their problem,” he said. “I disagree with him.”

US stresses security rationale as Denmark rejects Greenland plan

Trump had repeatedly argued that US control of Greenland was essential for defense and security in the Arctic, citing concerns about potential influence from Russia and China.

In a post on Truth Social earlier this month, he said that the United States would acquire Greenland “whether they like it or not,” adding that the process would happen “the easy way” or “the hard way.”

He added, “NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES, Anything less than that is unacceptable.”

Denmark firmly rejected the proposal.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described Trump’s approach as “completely unacceptable pressure,” while acknowledging that negotiations with Washington remained difficult.

Germany, France and Sweden announced plans to deploy troops to Greenland in recent days, joining allied forces already present on the island, a move Danish officials said was intended to reinforce security and demonstrate support for Greenland’s status within the Kingdom of Denmark.