Scott Bessent says Greenland tariffs are legal under emergency powers to avert wider conflict

WASHINGTON, DC: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday, January 18, defended the Trump administration’s plan to impose tariffs on imports from eight European countries opposing President Donald Trump’s ambition to take over Greenland, arguing the move was justified under emergency powers to prevent a larger conflict.

In an interview on NBC News’ 'Meet the Press', Bessent said the administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was warranted even in the absence of an immediate crisis.

“The national emergency is avoiding a national emergency,” Bessent said when asked what threat justified the tariffs. “It is a strategic decision by the president. This is a geopolitical decision, and he is able to use the economic might of the US to avoid a hot war.”

Europe targeted over Greenland opposition

Trump said on Saturday that the United States would impose a 10% tariff on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.

He warned that the tariff would rise to 25% on June 1 if no deal was reached to purchase Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

The announcement prompted sharp reactions in Europe. European Union ambassadors are expected to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday, according to a spokesperson for the Cyprus presidency of the EU Council, NBC News reported.

Trump had repeatedly insisted the United States would acquire Greenland “one way or the other,” framing the move as essential for US national security.

Legal and alliance questions loom

The tariff threat comes as the Supreme Court is expected to issue a future ruling on whether Trump’s broad use of emergency powers to impose tariffs can stand.

Asked whether military action to seize Greenland remained an option, Bessent said that he had not “spoken with the president on that.” Pressed on how a US annexation of Greenland would differ from Russia’s seizure of Crimea from Ukraine, Bessent replied that Europeans would ultimately see the move as beneficial.

“I believe that the Europeans will understand that this is best for Greenland, best for Europe and best for the United States,” he said.

Trade deal tensions and China warning

The Trump administration had previously reached a trade agreement with the European Union in July that lowered tariffs on EU imports.

Bessent argued the Greenland-related tariffs would not undermine that deal, saying it had not been finalized and that emergency actions operated differently from standard trade agreements.

He added that similar logic applied to China, saying that the US was currently in “a very good equilibrium,” but warning that the president would act if Beijing disrupted that balance.

Bipartisan pushback at home

Trump’s rhetoric on Greenland has drawn criticism from both parties. Greenland is part of Denmark, a NATO ally, and Democrats have warned that any US move against the territory could fracture the alliance.

In a separate 'Meet the Press' interview, Sen Rand Paul, R-Ky, sharply criticized the administration’s use of emergency powers.

“Emergency powers are for emergencies, and they should be short-lived,” Paul said. “There’s no emergency with Greenland that’s ridiculous.”

“Now we’re declaring emergencies to prevent emergencies?” he added. “That would lead to endless emergencies.”

Lawmakers visit Denmark 

A bipartisan US congressional delegation visited Denmark last week to meet Danish and Greenlandic leaders. The group was largely made up of Democrats but included Republican Sens Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. 

Despite the pushback, Trump has continued to argue that full US control of Greenland is necessary for national security, a claim firmly rejected by Greenland, Denmark and other European allies.