U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he will impose rising tariffs on several European countries unless the United States is allowed to buy Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said a 10% tariff will take effect on February 1 on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland. He said the tariffs would rise to 25% on June 1 and remain in place until the U.S. reaches a deal for what he called the “complete and total purchase” of Greenland.
The move targets a group of European countries that, at Denmark’s request, have recently sent troops to Greenland, a vast, mineral-rich Arctic territory with a population of about 57,000.
European Union ambassadors are set to hold an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss the threat. EU leaders warned the tariffs could seriously damage relations with Washington.
“Tariffs would undermine transatlantic ties and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said in a joint statement, adding that Europe would remain united.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the threat “unacceptable,” saying Europe would not be intimidated and would respond together if the tariffs go ahead. Spain’s prime minister warned that any U.S. move against Greenland would severely harm NATO and benefit Russia.
Sweden’s prime minister also rejected Trump’s comments, saying only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide the island’s future.
A Greenland government minister welcomed the show of support from European countries and said she hoped diplomacy would prevail.
Trump has repeatedly said Greenland is crucial to U.S. security because of its strategic location and mineral resources and has not ruled out using force. Most Greenlanders strongly oppose becoming part of the United States. A poll published last year showed 85% were against it.
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