U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States would impose tariffs on several European countries beginning next year, linking the move to what he described as national security risks surrounding Greenland and renewed U.S. efforts to acquire the Arctic territory.
In a statement, Trump said the United States has long subsidized Denmark and other European Union countries by not charging tariffs and argued it was time for Denmark to “give back,” citing what he called threats from China and Russia.
“World peace is at stake,” Trump said, adding that only the United States could effectively protect Greenland and prevent rival powers from gaining influence there.
Trump announced that starting on Feb. 1, 2026, the United States would impose a 10% tariff on all goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. He said the tariff would rise to 25% on June 1, 2026, and would remain in place until a deal is reached for the “complete and total purchase of Greenland.”
Trump said the United States has sought to acquire Greenland for more than 150 years, claiming multiple presidents had pursued the idea but were repeatedly rebuffed by Denmark. Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO ally of the United States.
He framed the proposed acquisition as essential to U.S. and global security, citing the development of what he called the “Golden Dome,” a modern missile defense system. Trump said the effectiveness of current offensive and defensive weapons systems depended on Greenland’s geography and argued the territory was critical to maximizing the system’s coverage.
Trump also criticized Denmark’s security presence in Greenland, claiming it was insufficient, and said several European countries had traveled to Greenland “for purposes unknown,” describing the situation as dangerous and unsustainable.
“These countries have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable,” Trump said, calling for what he described as strong measures to bring the situation to an end.
Trump said the United States was immediately open to negotiations with Denmark and other countries named in the announcement, saying Washington had provided “maximum protection” to European allies for decades.
The announcement marks a sharp escalation in Trump’s rhetoric and policy proposals related to Greenland, an issue he has repeatedly raised as part of his broader national security and Arctic strategy. European governments did not immediately respond to the tariff announcement.
