President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that the NATO nations who have sent small contingents of troops to Greenland amid the White Home’s push to accumulate the island will likely be charged a ten% tariff on all items despatched to america beginning on Feb. 1.
The tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland will then improve to 25% on June 1, till the U.S. is ready to buy Greenland, in keeping with the president.
Greenland is a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
“It is a very harmful state of affairs for the Security, Safety, and Survival of our Planet. These International locations, who’re enjoying this very harmful recreation, have put a degree of danger in play that’s not tenable or sustainable,” Trump posted on social media.
President Donald Trump speaks throughout an interview with Reuters within the Oval Workplace within the White Home in Washington, January 14, 2026.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Trump, in his publish, repeated his declare that China and Russia would threaten to take Greenland if the U.S. doesn’t. He claimed Denmark can not shield Greenland.
“Solely america of America, underneath PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play on this recreation, and really efficiently, at that!” he stated within the publish.
Some leaders from the focused nations slammed Trump over his tariff threats.
“France is dedicated to the sovereignty and independence of Nations,” French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a press release Saturday, including that “no intimidation nor risk will affect us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anyplace else on this planet once we are confronted with such conditions.”
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and don’t have any place on this context. Europeans will reply to them in a united and coordinated method in the event that they have been to be confirmed. We’ll know uphold European sovereignty,” Macron stated.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated in a press release that “Making use of tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective safety of NATO allies is totally improper.”
“Our place on Greenland could be very clear – it’s a part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes,” he stated.
This aerial view reveals individuals as they participate in an indication that gathered nearly a 3rd of town inhabitants to protest in opposition to the US President’s plans to take Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.
Mads Schmidt Rasmussen/Arctic Artistic/AFP by way of Getty
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated in a press release Saturday that discussions are being had between the nations for a coordinated response.
“We is not going to let ourselves be blackmailed. Solely Denmark and Greenland determine on points regarding Denmark and Greenland,” he stated. “I’ll at all times arise for my nation, and for our allied neighbors.”
Trump has stated he would think about taking Greenland by drive as an choice to accumulate the land.
Leaders from Greenland and Denmark, which governs worldwide issues for the nation, have repeatedly stated Greenland just isn’t on the market.
“It is clear that the president has this want of conquering over Greenland,” Danish Overseas Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen instructed reporters after assembly with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio Wednesday.
The Greenlandic flag flies over homes, Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.
Sean Gallup/Getty Pictures
Rasmussen referred to as that final result “completely unacceptable.”
Rasmussen stated Saturday that the president’s risk got here as a shock as he stated that he had a constructive speak with Vance and Rubio.
A number of leaders from European nations, together with France and Germany, have slammed Trump’s rhetoric and despatched army forces to Greenland this week as a part of coaching workouts launched by the Danish army.
Troopers of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, arrive at Nuuk Airport, January 16, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland.
Sean Gallup/Getty Pictures
“The aim of the elevated army presence in Greenland, to which the President refers, is to reinforce safety within the Arctic,” Rasmussen stated in a press release.
Trump’s controversial plan to accumulate Greenland has been met with disapproval on the island, the place protests in opposition to the U.S. have taken place.
On Saturday, big crowds hit the streets in Greenland lashing out at Trump over his proposal. A big crowd of protesters performed a “Cease Trump” march by means of the streets of Nuuk.
Trump’s proposal has additionally not sat nicely amongst many People the place individuals and leaders throughout the aisle have spoken out in opposition to the thought of buying Greenland.
A Quinnipiac University poll discovered 55% of voters are against america making an attempt to purchase Greenland, with majorities of Democratic voters (85%) and Impartial voters (58%) opposed and a majority of Republican voters in help (67%).
On Friday, a bipartisan group of Home members and senators traveled to Greenland and stated they’d “constructive” conversations with members of Denmark’s parliament.
U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who have been a part of the delegation, launched a press release Saturday warning that the tariff risk will damage the U.S.’s relationships with its European counterparts.
“There is no such thing as a want, or want, for a pricey acquisition or hostile army takeover of Greenland when our Danish and Greenlandic allies are desirous to work with us on Arctic safety, crucial minerals and different priorities underneath the framework of long-standing treaties,” the lawmakers stated within the assertion.
Folks maintain Greenlandic flags and placards as they collect to march in protest in opposition to President Donald Trump and his introduced intent to accumulate Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.
Sean Gallup/Getty Pictures
“Persevering with down this path is unhealthy for America, unhealthy for American companies and unhealthy for America’s allies. This sort of rhetoric additionally additional helps adversaries like Putin and Xi who wish to see NATO divided. Our allies deserve higher, and so do the American individuals who have made their opposition to this flawed coverage resoundingly clea,” the senators added.
The delegation stated the go to was to nurture the connection between Denmark, Greenland and america and to reassure NATO companions that many members of Congress don’t help any effort by america to accumulate Greenland.
Trump’s tariffs have been hit with lawsuits which have been appealed all the way in which the Supreme Courtroom. It’s not recognized when the excessive court docket will rule on the case.
-ABC Information’ Victoria Beaule, Chris Boccia and Rashid Haddou contributed to this report
