Trump warns tariffs as Greenland dispute strains ties
The US President has previously argued that Greenland is vital to America’s national security and long-term strategic interests.
US President Donald Trump on Friday escalated his long-running push for American control over Greenland, threatening to impose tariffs on countries that refuse to support Washington’s claim over the Arctic territory. The remarks mark the first time Trump has openly linked economic punishment to international backing for the controversial proposal.
Speaking at a White House healthcare event, Trump suggested that trade penalties could be used as leverage against nations that oppose the US position. “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security,” Bloomberg quoted him as saying. While he did not specify which countries could be targeted or what form the tariffs might take, the statement underscored his willingness to use America’s economic power to advance strategic goals.
Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is critical to US national security, citing its strategic location in the Arctic and its potential role in monitoring rival powers such as Russia and China. Although his comments on Friday lacked detail, they reinforced a stance he has maintained for months: that American control of the island is not merely desirable, but necessary.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with its own parliament and prime minister, but Denmark retains responsibility for its foreign policy and defence. Trump’s insistence that the US should take control of the island has been firmly rejected by both Danish and Greenlandic leaders, who have stressed that Greenland is not for.
Despite these objections, the White House has continued to keep the issue alive. Officials have previously stated that “all options are on the table” when it comes to securing US interests in Greenland, a phrase that has unsettled allies in Europe. Trump’s latest comments suggest that economic pressure could now be added to the mix, raising concerns about the potential strain on transatlantic relations.
The timing of Trump’s remarks is particularly sensitive. They came just a day after several European countries sent small numbers of military troops to Greenland in a show of support for the territory and for Denmark. According to Reuters, Denmark is pressing ahead with plans to establish a “larger and more permanent” NATO presence on the island, citing the need to strengthen security in the increasingly contested Arctic region.
Danish officials have said the deployment is aimed at preparing for military exercises and improving coordination among allies, rather than provoking confrontation. The move followed a meeting involving officials from the United States, Denmark and Greenland, highlighting ongoing diplomatic engagement even as tensions simmer.
The Arctic has grown in strategic importance in recent years as melting ice opens up new shipping routes and access to natural resources. This has intensified competition among major powers, with Russia expanding its military footprint in the region and China declaring itself a “near-Arctic state.” Against this backdrop, Greenland’s location between North America and Europe has taken on renewed significance for defence planners in Washington.
Trump’s approach, however, has drawn criticism both at home and abroad. Many analysts argue that threatening tariffs against allies risks undermining cooperation at a time when unity is crucial. European leaders have privately expressed frustration that what they see as a legitimate discussion about Arctic security is being framed in transactional terms.
In Denmark, opposition to Trump’s plans has been vocal. According to Bloomberg, protests against the idea of US control over Greenland are due to take place across the country on Saturday. Public sentiment has hardened as Trump’s rhetoric has grown more forceful, with many Danes viewing the proposal as an affront to their sovereignty.
Political engagement between Washington and Copenhagen has nevertheless continued. On Friday, a group of US senators and representatives met lawmakers in the Danish parliament, an effort seen as part of ongoing dialogue aimed at preventing the dispute from spiralling further. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has also spent the past week in Washington, holding meetings with members of the US Congress.
rather than confrontation. Danish officials have consistently emphasised that they are open to deeper cooperation with the US on defence and security in the Arctic, but not to any transfer of sovereignty.
For Greenland itself, the debate has reignited questions about autonomy and identity. While the territory already enjoys a high degree of self-rule, many Greenlanders are wary of being caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war between powerful nations. Local leaders have stressed that Greenland’s people must have the final say over their future, a message that has resonated strongly among the island’s population.
Trump’s tariff threat adds a new and unpredictable element to the situation. Trade measures have been a hallmark of his foreign policy approach, used previously against both rivals and allies to extract concessions. Applying the same tactic to the Greenland issue could further complicate relations with Europe and test the limits of alliance solidarity.
As the Arctic continues to emerge as a key arena of global competition, Trump’s comments have highlighted the growing intersection of security, economics and diplomacy in the region. Whether his warning about tariffs is a negotiating tactic or a sign of more concrete action to come remains unclear. What is certain, however, is that the question of Greenland has moved beyond a rhetorical curiosity and into a serious diplomatic challenge, with implications that extend far beyond the icy island itself.