Jan 18, 2026 02:35 AM
Art of the deal again? Another stupidity to be slapped down by the courts.
"President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would impose a new 10% tariff on Denmark and seven other European countries until “a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
The other countries affected would be Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.
Trump said the duties would increase to 25% if a deal is not reached by June 1.
“China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!” he added.
Trump also pointed to joint security exercises around Greenland between Denmark and other European allies, calling them a “very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.”
“Therefore, 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,” Trump wrote.
Trump’s announcement was the latest step in a sharp escalation in tensions between the U.S. and some of its closest allies in Europe. Any direct confrontation would threaten to undo 70 years of security and stability in the Atlantic under the NATO alliance.
Already, the U.S. has a trade framework agreement with the European Union capping tariffs at 15% and an agreement with the United Kingdom capping tariffs on imports at 10%. It was not immediately clear if the new tariffs would void that deal or be in addition to those rates.
The E.U. is America’s largest trading partner and its largest source of imports.
“The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa in a joint statement.
The new tariffs “would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” they added. “Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty.”
"The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law, wherever it may be, and of course, starting within the territory of the European Union's member states," Costa said in a press conference on Saturday about a separate trade deal signing.
The chairman of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, Bernd Lange, called the new tariffs “unbelievable.”
Lange said he would be calling for the European Parliament to suspend work on implementing the U.S.-E.U. trade deal “until U.S. ends its threats.” He also said the E.U.’s so-called “trade bazooka,” formally called the Anti-Coercion Instrument,”must now be used.”
Manfred Weber, the leader of the largest party in the European Parliament said that "given Donald Trump's threats regarding Greenland," approval of the E.U.'s trade deal with the U.S. "must be put on hold."
“Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong,” U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement. “We will of course be pursuing this directly with the U.S. administration.”
Denmark said it was surprised by Trump's announcement. "We agree with the US that we need to do more since the Arctic is no longer a low tension area," the Danish foreign ministry said in an email. "That’s exactly why we and NATO partners are stepping up in full transparency with our American allies."
"We are in close contact with the European Commission and our other partners on the issue," it added.
"We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed," said Sweden’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson in a statement. "Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland."
Germany’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it was working with other E.U. member states on coordinated response.
French president Emmanuel Macron said "no intimidation nor threat will influence us," adding that "tariff threats are unacceptable."
Macron said he too would consult European partners on a response.
Last week, European troops began arriving in Greenland in a show of support for the island territory, which is part of Denmark.
On Wednesday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his nation, at the request of Denmark, had sent military officers to Greenland to help plan the Danish-allied joint security exercise “Operation Arctic Endurance.”
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told reporters Friday after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that “it’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland.”
Rasmussen said he told the Trump administration that “this is not in the interest of the kingdom.”
The new tariffs would come as the Trump administration battles widespread cost-of-living issues facing consumers in the U.S.
In November, the administration walked back some food tariffs. The president has also called for a 10% cap on credit card interest rates and has ordered government-controlled entities to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds to drive down mortgage rates.
Increasing tariffs on European countries could lead to higher prices on everything from pharmaceuticals to aircraft parts.
Germany, one of the countries named by Trump on Saturday, is a large source of industrial and pharmaceutical imports to the U.S.
“President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland,” Kemi Badenoch, leader of the U.K.’s Conservative Party, said on social media. “People in both UK and US will face higher costs.”
The U.K. has sent just one military officer to Greenland as of Saturday, Sky News reported.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., responded to the president’s announcement on Fox News, saying that Trump “is right that Greenland is vital for the national security interests of the United States.” Cotton added “the best decision probably would be to acquire Greenland from Denmark.”
"These tariffs are unnecessary, punitive, and a profound mistake," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in a social media post.
"This response to our own allies for sending a small number of troops to Greenland for training is bad for America, bad for American businesses, and bad for America's allies," Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said on X.
"Continuing down this path is bad for America, bad for American businesses and bad for America’s allies," Sens. Jeanne Shaneen, D-N.H., and Tillis added in a bipartisan statement. "This kind of rhetoric also further helps adversaries like Putin and Xi who want to see NATO divided."
"Our allies deserve better, and so do the American people who have made their opposition to this flawed policy resoundingly clear," the two senators continued. "At a time when many Americans are already concerned about the cost of living, these tariffs would raise prices for both families and businesses."
It was not immediately clear under what authority the new tariffs would be applied. Currently, tariffs on the U.K. and E.U. have been applied using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Supreme Court is set to rule any day on whether that law grants Trump the authority to impose his country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs."
"President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would impose a new 10% tariff on Denmark and seven other European countries until “a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
The other countries affected would be Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.
Trump said the duties would increase to 25% if a deal is not reached by June 1.
“China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!” he added.
Trump also pointed to joint security exercises around Greenland between Denmark and other European allies, calling them a “very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.”
“Therefore, 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,” Trump wrote.
Trump’s announcement was the latest step in a sharp escalation in tensions between the U.S. and some of its closest allies in Europe. Any direct confrontation would threaten to undo 70 years of security and stability in the Atlantic under the NATO alliance.
Already, the U.S. has a trade framework agreement with the European Union capping tariffs at 15% and an agreement with the United Kingdom capping tariffs on imports at 10%. It was not immediately clear if the new tariffs would void that deal or be in addition to those rates.
The E.U. is America’s largest trading partner and its largest source of imports.
“The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa in a joint statement.
The new tariffs “would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” they added. “Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty.”
"The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law, wherever it may be, and of course, starting within the territory of the European Union's member states," Costa said in a press conference on Saturday about a separate trade deal signing.
The chairman of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, Bernd Lange, called the new tariffs “unbelievable.”
Lange said he would be calling for the European Parliament to suspend work on implementing the U.S.-E.U. trade deal “until U.S. ends its threats.” He also said the E.U.’s so-called “trade bazooka,” formally called the Anti-Coercion Instrument,”must now be used.”
Manfred Weber, the leader of the largest party in the European Parliament said that "given Donald Trump's threats regarding Greenland," approval of the E.U.'s trade deal with the U.S. "must be put on hold."
“Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong,” U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement. “We will of course be pursuing this directly with the U.S. administration.”
Denmark said it was surprised by Trump's announcement. "We agree with the US that we need to do more since the Arctic is no longer a low tension area," the Danish foreign ministry said in an email. "That’s exactly why we and NATO partners are stepping up in full transparency with our American allies."
"We are in close contact with the European Commission and our other partners on the issue," it added.
"We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed," said Sweden’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson in a statement. "Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland."
Germany’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it was working with other E.U. member states on coordinated response.
French president Emmanuel Macron said "no intimidation nor threat will influence us," adding that "tariff threats are unacceptable."
Macron said he too would consult European partners on a response.
Last week, European troops began arriving in Greenland in a show of support for the island territory, which is part of Denmark.
On Wednesday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his nation, at the request of Denmark, had sent military officers to Greenland to help plan the Danish-allied joint security exercise “Operation Arctic Endurance.”
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told reporters Friday after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that “it’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland.”
Rasmussen said he told the Trump administration that “this is not in the interest of the kingdom.”
The new tariffs would come as the Trump administration battles widespread cost-of-living issues facing consumers in the U.S.
In November, the administration walked back some food tariffs. The president has also called for a 10% cap on credit card interest rates and has ordered government-controlled entities to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds to drive down mortgage rates.
Increasing tariffs on European countries could lead to higher prices on everything from pharmaceuticals to aircraft parts.
Germany, one of the countries named by Trump on Saturday, is a large source of industrial and pharmaceutical imports to the U.S.
“President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland,” Kemi Badenoch, leader of the U.K.’s Conservative Party, said on social media. “People in both UK and US will face higher costs.”
The U.K. has sent just one military officer to Greenland as of Saturday, Sky News reported.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., responded to the president’s announcement on Fox News, saying that Trump “is right that Greenland is vital for the national security interests of the United States.” Cotton added “the best decision probably would be to acquire Greenland from Denmark.”
"These tariffs are unnecessary, punitive, and a profound mistake," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in a social media post.
"This response to our own allies for sending a small number of troops to Greenland for training is bad for America, bad for American businesses, and bad for America's allies," Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said on X.
"Continuing down this path is bad for America, bad for American businesses and bad for America’s allies," Sens. Jeanne Shaneen, D-N.H., and Tillis added in a bipartisan statement. "This kind of rhetoric also further helps adversaries like Putin and Xi who want to see NATO divided."
"Our allies deserve better, and so do the American people who have made their opposition to this flawed policy resoundingly clear," the two senators continued. "At a time when many Americans are already concerned about the cost of living, these tariffs would raise prices for both families and businesses."
It was not immediately clear under what authority the new tariffs would be applied. Currently, tariffs on the U.K. and E.U. have been applied using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Supreme Court is set to rule any day on whether that law grants Trump the authority to impose his country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs."