People hold Greenlandic flags and placards as they gather in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, to protest US President Donald Trump's threats to take over the island. Sean Gallup/Getty Images



Washington, DC, and Nuuk, Greenland
—
President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States will impose new tariffs on several European countries unless a deal is reached for the purchase of Greenland, escalating his long-running push for US control of the Arctic territory ruled by Denmark.

Trump said he will impose a 10% tariff on “any and all goods” from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland starting February 1, increasing to 25% on June 1, until an agreement is reached.

“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,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!”

Trump didn’t specify the nature of the tariffs he plans to impose on the European countries, nor whether the 10% tariff is on top of what they’re already paying. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment.


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The president’s tariff threat was met with concern from European leaders, including Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who said it “comes as a surprise” after a “constructive meeting” with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week.

Trump warned in his social media post that the European nations’ deployment of military personnel to Greenland amounted to “a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.”

While it is not necessarily unusual for NATO countries to send military assets for exercises in Greenland, the timing represents a significant show of support for Denmark and underscores the tensions within the transatlantic alliance.