- He said the levies would rise to 25 per cent from June 1 and remain in force until the United States reaches an agreement
- Danish officials have reiterated that Greenland is not for sale
- He argued that American control of Greenland was now essential for national security
United States President Donald Trump has intensified his push to take control of Greenland, threatening a wave of punitive tariffs against several European allies he accused of resisting Washington’s ambitions over the Arctic territory.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday,Eko Hot Blog reports that Trump announced that a 10 per cent tariff would be imposed from February 1 on imports from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Tuesday, 13 January 2026
- Lagos Assembly Approves ₦4.44 Trillion Budget for 2026
- NANS Mobilises Nationwide Protest Over Tax Reform Law
He said the levies would rise to 25 per cent from June 1 and remain in force until the United States reaches an agreement to purchase Greenland.
The threat drew swift backlash from European leaders, who described the move as intimidation and an assault on allied unity. French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe would not be coerced, insisting that tariff pressure would not alter European positions “in Ukraine, Greenland, or anywhere else.” He added that the European Union would respond collectively if the threats were carried out.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the plan, calling it wrong to penalise allies over issues linked to NATO’s collective security. He said London would formally raise the matter with Washington, warning that trade threats against partners undermined trust within the alliance.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas cautioned that the proposed tariffs would damage both sides of the Atlantic, arguing that divisions among allies only serve the interests of global rivals. According to her, economic confrontation between Europe and the US would weaken shared prosperity and strategic cooperation.
Trump justified the measures by accusing European countries of engaging in “dangerous games” after their representatives visited Greenland, claiming the US had sought to acquire the territory for more than a century.
He argued that American control of Greenland was now essential for national security, particularly for a proposed missile defence system he described as the “Golden Dome.”
The announcement came amid widespread protests in Denmark and Greenland, where thousands took to the streets to oppose Trump’s renewed takeover rhetoric.
Demonstrators in Copenhagen waved Danish flags and chanted slogans affirming Greenlandic identity, while crowds in Nuuk braved harsh weather to rally in defence of self-rule.
The escalating dispute has exposed growing strains within NATO, with analysts warning that the confrontation risks turning an internal alliance disagreement into a broader political and economic crisis.
Despite Trump’s insistence, public opinion in Greenland remains firmly opposed to joining the United States, with surveys showing overwhelming resistance to the idea.
Danish officials have reiterated that Greenland is not for sale, even as diplomatic efforts to soften Washington’s stance appear to have stalled.
Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, acknowledged this week that Trump’s determination to pursue control of the territory has become increasingly clear, raising fresh uncertainty for transatlantic relations.
FURTHER READING
