President Donald Trump has threatened to impose trade tariffs on countries that oppose his administration's plan to annex Greenland, calling the Arctic territory a "national security priority."
Speaking at a White House meeting on Friday (January 16), Trump stated he "may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland." While he did not specify which nations would be targeted, the warning appears aimed at Denmark and its European allies who have rejected his proposal as "absurd."
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.3 Trump argued that US "ownership" of the island is essential to defend against Russian and Chinese expansion in the Arctic. He previously warned that the US would acquire the territory "the easy way or the hard way"—a phrase interpreted by critics as a threat of military force.
"We need Greenland for national security," Trump reiterated Friday. "The United States represents liberty and protection, but we must own it to defend it properly."
While Trump intensified his rhetoric, a bipartisan delegation of 11 US lawmakers arrived in Copenhagen on Friday to reassure Danish and Greenlandic leaders of continued American respect for their sovereignty.
Led by Senator Chris Coons (D) and Senator Thom Tillis (R), the group includes Senator Lisa Murkowski (R), who is sponsoring a bill to foil any annexation attempt.
Senator Dick Durbin (D) told reporters the President’s statements "do not reflect what the American people feel." Senator Murkowski noted that Congress holds the power to block the funding required for any military or territorial acquisition.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have remained firm, stating, "You cannot buy another people." In a show of solidarity, several European nations—including France, Germany, and the UK—have reportedly sent limited personnel on a reconnaissance mission to Greenland to bolster its defense under the NATO framework.
The diplomatic rift follows failed high-level talks in Washington earlier this week between Danish officials and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump's special envoy, Jeff Landry, remains optimistic, telling Fox News on Friday that a "deal should and will be made."
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