Trump threatens tariffs to push US control over Greenland

US President Donald Trump has suggested that he may impose tariffs on countries that do not support the United States controlling Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark, as a bipartisan Congressional delegation sought to ease tensions in the Danish capital. Trump has repeatedly insisted that the US should control Greenland, calling anything less than US ownership “unacceptable.” During an unrelated White House event on rural healthcare, he recounted previously threatening European allies with tariffs on pharmaceuticals and added, “I may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security. So I may do that.”

Greenland, located in the Arctic, is rich in critical minerals and holds strategic importance. Trump has cited China and Russia’s purported interest in the region as justification for US involvement, and reports indicate that the White House has not ruled out using force to assert control.

Earlier this week, the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland met with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington , producing an agreement to establish a working group, though its purpose remains contested publicly by Denmark and the White House. Denmark has emphasized that matters concerning Greenland are for Denmark and Greenland to decide, and it is increasing its military presence on the island in cooperation with allies.

In Copenhagen, a bipartisan Congressional delegation led by Senator Chris Coons met Danish and Greenlandic lawmakers, including Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Coons thanked Denmark for “225 years of being a good and trusted ally” and described discussions on extending cooperation into the future as “strong and robust.” Senator Lisa Murkowski stressed that Greenland “needs to be viewed as our ally, not as an asset” and emphasized Congress’ role in reflecting the views of American constituents. She noted that roughly 75% of Americans oppose US acquisition of Greenland and, along with Senator Jeanne Shaheen, has introduced legislation to prevent the use of US funds to annex Greenland or any NATO ally territory without consent.

Greenlandic leaders have strongly rejected US control. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, “If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU.” Sara Olsvig, chair of the Nuuk-based Inuit Circumpolar Council, representing 180,000 Inuit across Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Russia, criticized persistent US claims over Greenland, saying it shows “how one of the biggest powers in the world views other peoples that are less powerful than them … and that really is concerning.” Indigenous Greenlanders do not want to be colonized again. Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, said, “Mostly, the threats that we're seeing right now are from the US side,” highlighting the stark contrast between White House rhetoric and diplomatic efforts.

Trump’s push for control, coupled with the threat of economic penalties, has heightened tensions between the US, Denmark, and Greenland. While Congress and Greenlandic leaders emphasize sovereignty and diplomacy, the White House maintains a hardline approach, citing national security and Arctic geopolitics.

Trump also hinted at using tariffs as leverage to push countries to support US control over Greenland. He referred to a previous instance when he threatened European allies with tariffs on pharmaceuticals, noting that the proposed rate was “about seven times more” than the alternative. While he did not specify a tariff rate for Greenland, he said, “I may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland … because we need Greenland for national security. So I may do that,” signaling that economic pressure could be used as a tool in the dispute.