Trump Threatens Escalating Tariffs on European Allies Over Greenland Dispute

Washington, The Gulf Observer: President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to impose a new wave of escalating tariffs on several European allies unless the United States is allowed to purchase Greenland, intensifying a growing dispute over the future of the Danish autonomous territory, according to media reports.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said additional 10 percent import tariffs would take effect on February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Britain. These countries are already subject to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

The president said the tariffs would rise to 25 percent on June 1 and remain in force until an agreement is reached allowing the United States to buy Greenland.

Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security due to its strategic Arctic location and significant mineral resources. He has also declined to rule out the use of force to acquire the territory. In response to rising tensions, several European countries this week sent military personnel to Greenland at Denmark’s request.

“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.

He added that the United States was “immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these countries,” despite what he described as decades of U.S. protection provided to its allies.

On Saturday, protesters in Denmark and Greenland held demonstrations opposing Trump’s demands and called for Greenland to be allowed to determine its own future.

Several prominent European Union member states have expressed support for Denmark, warning that any U.S. military seizure of territory within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could severely undermine or even collapse the alliance. Britain has also publicly backed Denmark amid the escalating dispute.