President Trump’s fixation on Greenland has exploded into a full-blown trade war, with 10% tariffs slated for imports from Denmark and seven other European powers unless they cede the island. Unveiled on Truth Social, the policy ramps up to 25% by mid-2026, framing acquisition as existential for world peace.
Trump decried decades of one-sided US support, from subsidies to security, while slamming Europe’s Arctic meddling. He envisioned China and Russia dominating the resource-rich territory, helpless against Denmark’s primitive capabilities, and positioned America as the sole guardian via cutting-edge systems.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the UK countered on X, stressing Greenland’s Danish ties and NATO imperatives against Russia. He branded the tariffs ‘completely wrong’ for penalizing partners and pledged bilateral talks.
Foreign Minister David van Weel of the Netherlands viewed the tariffs through a security lens, coordinating EU responses for Greenland’s vital exercises.
Listing the eight targets, Trump warned of unsustainable risks from their actions, offering talks but demanding compliance. The rhetoric evokes his prior purchase overture, now weaponized economically amid Arctic militarization.
Observers see this as a litmus test for Western unity. With Europe’s leaders closing ranks, Trump’s high-wire act could either clinch Greenland or fracture alliances, reshaping geopolitics in the thawing north.