President Donald Trump stunned Europe after announcing sweeping tariffs on eight countries, escalating pressure on their governments to agree to a U.S. deal involving the future control of Greenland.
The announcement immediately rattled markets and triggered sharp reactions across European capitals.
The policy targets Britain, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands, imposing a 10% tariff on all goods entering the U.S. starting Feb. 1.
The tariffs apply to consumer products, industrial exports, and agricultural shipments alike.
Trump warned the levy will jump to 25% on June 1 if no agreement is reached, framing the tariffs as leverage rather than a temporary trade dispute. He framed the deadline as saying patience in Washington has run out.
The president said the move followed reports that several European nations deployed troops to Greenland, a development he described as reckless and destabilizing. Officials argued the deployments crossed a red line for American interests today.
Trump repeatedly stressed that Greenland’s strategic location and mineral wealth are essential to American national security and broader global stability. He warned rivals could exploit gaps in Arctic oversight without U.S. action.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump called himself the “tariff king” and argued that only American leadership can prevent hostile powers from exploiting the Arctic territory. Supporters praised the blunt approach as consistent with Trump’s long-standing trade philosophy.
He singled out Denmark, claiming the country cannot adequately defend Greenland while China and Russia aggressively pursue influence in the region. Denmark firmly rejected that claim, insisting it has honored alliance commitments fully.
Trump said European military exercises, including Danish F-35 flights and French aerial refueling operations, forced the U.S. to respond decisively. European officials said the drills were defensive and previously scheduled months ago, per the Daily Mail.
The administration invoked emergency economic powers to impose the tariffs, a strategy currently under legal review by the Supreme Court. Lower courts have questioned whether the authority was lawfully applied in practice.
European leaders pushed back immediately, with France and Denmark accusing Washington of coercion while reaffirming Greenland’s sovereignty. Several leaders accused Trump of escalating tensions within the NATO alliance structure.
A bipartisan congressional delegation traveled to Copenhagen to reassure allies, distancing lawmakers from Trump’s rhetoric and emphasizing long-standing NATO ties. Lawmakers stressed that congressional views differ sharply from White House’s strategy today.
Senators and representatives met with Danish and Greenlandic officials, signaling internal disagreement even as the White House doubled down. They emphasized diplomacy, caution, and mutual defense obligations among allies across Europe.
Trump insisted the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system cannot function effectively without Greenland’s geography supporting Arctic coverage. He said missile angles and radar coverage demand control of the island.
European officials countered that Greenland already falls under NATO protection, rejecting claims that Denmark neglected security responsibilities. French officials said the exercises signal a resolve to defend sovereignty at all.
Despite backlash, Trump said negotiations remain open, making clear tariffs will stay in place until a complete Greenland agreement is secured, or until European governments capitulate completely.
