Trump Threatens Nations with Massive Tariffs if They Oppose U.S. Acquisition of Greenland

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump escalated his campaign to acquire Greenland on Friday, explicitly threatening to impose punitive trade tariffs on any nation that fails to support the United States’ efforts to take control of the autonomous Danish territory.

Speaking during a White House roundtable on rural healthcare, the President pivoted to the Arctic, framing the acquisition of the world’s largest island as a non-negotiable matter of “national security.” He warned that nations standing in the way of what he calls a necessary strategic expansion could face economic retaliation similar to the 25% tariffs he recently threatened against European allies over pharmaceutical pricing.

“I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security,” Trump told the audience. “We’re going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not. If we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over, and we’re not going to have them as a neighbor.”

The “Golden Dome” and Strategic Minerals

The administration’s renewed push for Greenland—a goal Trump first floated during his first term—has taken on a more aggressive tone in 2026. The White House has linked the island to the “Golden Dome,” a proposed multi-layered missile defense system intended to shield the U.S. mainland. Officials argue that Greenland’s unique geography is the only viable location for critical radar and interceptor assets capable of countering next-generation hypersonic threats from adversaries.

Beyond defense, the President’s interest is firmly rooted in Greenland’s vast, untapped reserves of rare earth minerals. As the global race for battery technology and semiconductor components intensifies, the Trump administration has prioritized securing domestic and “near-shore” supply chains. By annexing Greenland, the administration hopes to break China’s current stranglehold on the global mineral market.

A Fracture in the NATO Alliance

The tariff threat has sent shockwaves through the NATO alliance, where Denmark remains a stalwart member. In Copenhagen, the reaction has been one of defiance and mounting alarm. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has repeatedly stated that “Greenland is not for sale,” and recently hosted foreign ministers from across Europe to form a united front against U.S. pressure.

In a move that has further strained relations, several European nations—including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—have deployed small contingents of military personnel to Greenland to participate in “Operation Arctic Endurance.” While ostensibly a joint exercise with the Danish Arctic Command, the presence of European boots on the ground is widely viewed as a symbolic tripwire to deter any potential U.S. “hard way” intervention.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the European deployment as “insignificant,” asserting that it would not deter the President’s “goal of acquisition.”

Domestic Dissent and Congressional Pushback

The President’s rhetoric is also facing a domestic challenge. A bipartisan delegation of 11 members of Congress, led by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), arrived in Copenhagen this week to reassure Danish and Greenlandic leaders that the U.S. legislature does not support a forced takeover.

“Greenland needs to be viewed as our ally, not as an asset,” Senator Murkowski said during a press conference in the Danish capital.

Legislators are already moving to curb the President’s power in this arena. A new bill introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Murkowski aims to prohibit the use of federal funds for any operation intended to seize the territory of a NATO ally. Additionally, some lawmakers are drafting a War Powers resolution to prevent the administration from taking military action in the Arctic without explicit congressional approval.

Economic Implications

The threat of a “Greenland Tariff” arrives at a precarious time for global trade. The EU and the U.S. only recently reached a tentative trade agreement in late 2025, which saw the EU accept a flat 15% tariff on many goods to avoid a broader trade war. European trade officials warned today that if Trump follows through on his latest threats, that hard-won deal would likely collapse before it is even ratified.

As the administration prepares for a planned presidential visit to Greenland in March, the world is watching to see if the threat of tariffs is a tactical bluff or the precursor to a fundamental realignment of the Western order.

Sources & Links:

• CBS News: Trump says he may hike tariffs on countries that “don’t go along with” U.S. efforts to acquire Greenland
• The Guardian: Trump threatens tariffs against those who oppose him taking Greenland
• Washington Post: Trump threatens tariffs on nations that ‘don’t go along’ with Greenland plans
• .The Straits Times: Trump threatens tariffs on nations that don’t back US takeover of Greenland
• Argus Media: Trump mulls tariffs in quest for Greenland
• ITV News: Trump threatens tariffs against countries who oppose the US controlling Greenland
• Time: Tump Threatens Tariffs Over His Greenland Plan
• Chatham House: US intentions towards Greenland threaten NATO’s future