JUST IN: Trump Announces Steep Tariffs On Denmark, European Nations Over Greenland Negotiations

President Donald Trump on Saturday announced new tariffs on goods from eight European countries as part of an effort to secure U.S. acquisition of Greenland, which is currently a territory of Denmark.

Greenland, the world’s largest island, is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It holds strategic importance due to its Arctic location, natural resources, and role in missile defense systems.

The U.S. has maintained a military presence there since World War II, including at Thule Air Base. Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland dates back to 2019, but the issue resurfaced in early 2025 with initial threats of tariffs if Denmark did not relinquish control.

In a Truth Social post, Trump detailed the tariffs and rationale. “We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration. Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!” Trump wrote.

“China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently. Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that! Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake.”

The president then listed the European nations that will be affected by the tariffs.  “On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown. This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable,” Trump’s post continued.

“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. Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%.”

He continued, “This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland. The United States has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years. Many Presidents have tried, and for good reason, but Denmark has always refused. Now, because of The Golden Dome, and Modern Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars are currently being spent on Security Programs having to do with ‘The Dome,’ including for the possible protection of Canada, and this very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it.”

Trump concluded by noting that the United States remains open to negotiations with Denmark and the aforementioned European nations. “Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades. Thank you for your attention to this matter!“

The new tariffs are set at 10 percent on all goods imported to the U.S. starting February 1, 2026, escalating to 25 percent on June 1, 2026, and remaining in effect until a deal for the “Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” is finalized. These countries were selected for their support of Denmark’s position on Greenland, Trump explained.

The announcement builds on existing U.S. tariffs, including a recent July 2025 agreement with the EU setting 15 percent tariffs on EU goods, with exceptions.

Recent negotiations include a meeting on January 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C., involving Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance. The discussions addressed U.S. security concerns in the Arctic but yielded no change in positions.

“We didn’t manage to change the American position,” Rasmussen said. Motzfeldt emphasized cooperation but rejected U.S. ownership, saying Greenland does not want to be “owned by the United States.”

The meeting resulted in the establishment of a working group to handle issues related to Greenland’s control and Arctic security. However, views on the group’s purpose differ. Denmark sees it as a means to address U.S. security needs while respecting Danish “red lines,” such as maintaining sovereignty.

The White House has described it as a step toward managing the dispute, though specifics remain unclear.