WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump on Saturday announced plans to impose a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations because of their opposition to American control of Greenland.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump argued that the U.S. has subsidized Denmark and much of the European Union “for many years” by not imposing tariffs, adding that it is now “time for Denmark to give back.”
The president also claimed China and Russia want Greenland and asserted that Denmark is incapable of defending the territory without U.S. involvement.
“World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it,” Trump wrote.
“They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently. Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that! Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake,” he added.
Trump said that starting on February 1, the U. S. will impose a 10% tariff “on any and all goods” sent to the U.S. from the following countries:
Trump said the tariff would increase to 25% by the beginning of June 1. He said the tariff would remain in place, until a deal is reached for the “complete and total purchase of Greenland.”
People march during a pro- Greenlanders demonstration, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
The president framed the move as a national and global security measure, citing U.S. investments in advanced missile defense systems, including what he referred to as “The Golden Dome.” Trump argued that Greenland’s geographic position is essential to maximizing the effectiveness of modern defensive and offensive weapons systems and said the territory would be critical to protecting not only the United States, but potentially Canada as well.
“The need to acquire is especially important,” Trump wrote, saying Greenland’s inclusion would improve the angles and coverage of U.S. security systems.
Trump said in his Truth Social post that his tariffs were retaliation for recent trips to Greenland by representatives from Britain, the Netherlands and Finland and for general opposition to his efforts to purchase the semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. He has Greenland is essential for the “Golden Dome” missile defense system for the U.S., and has argued that Russia and China might try to take over the island.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
“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. “Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question.”
National Headline
