United States President, Donald Trump, has announced plans to impose 10% tariffs on countries that have deployed military forces to Greenland, linking the decision to his renewed push for the United States to annex the Arctic island.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said the tariffs would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, and would take effect on Feb. 1, 2026.
He added that the tariffs would rise to 25% on June 1 and remain in force “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
“These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable,” Trump wrote.
“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.”
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The eight countries named by Trump are all members of NATO. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Liz Palmer described the Danish military presence in Greenland as a “token force,” saying it “is a signal to Washington that if Trump is worried about Arctic security, his NATO allies are willing to do their part in helping to look after it.” Trump, however, accused the countries on Truth Social of having “journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.”
Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States needs to acquire Greenland for national security reasons. He has said the island is critical to the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system and has raised concerns about the potential influence of Russia or China in the region.
Greenland, which is sparsely populated, hosts the northernmost U.S. military base and is believed to have significant reserves of oil, natural gas and minerals. Its strategic location near emerging Arctic shipping routes has also increased its importance as rising temperatures continue to melt sea ice in the region.
(CBS News)