U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose tariffs on countries that oppose his plans to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory under Danish control, according to BBC reports.
Speaking at a White House meeting on rural healthcare, Trump said, “I may impose a tariff on countries if they do not agree on Greenland,” without specifying which nations could be targeted or what authority would be used to enforce such tariffs.
The announcement comes amid widespread opposition from Denmark, Greenland, and other countries, as well as skepticism among Americans regarding a potential purchase of the island. Simultaneously, a bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation visited Greenland to show support for the territory.
The 11-member delegation included Republicans concerned about Trump’s calls for the U.S. to assert control over Greenland for national security reasons. They met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and U.S. legislators to hear local perspectives and report back to Washington, aiming to reduce tensions.
Trump has described Greenland as critical to U.S. security, claiming the U.S. would acquire it “the easy way or the hard way,” referencing either a purchase or a forced takeover.
Greenland, sparsely populated but rich in natural resources, occupies a strategic location between North America and the Arctic. It hosts early warning systems and maritime monitoring facilities, including the Pituffik military base, operated by the U.S. since World War II.
While current agreements allow the U.S. to station troops in Greenland, Trump argues that the territory must be “controlled” to defend against potential Russian or Chinese threats. Denmark has warned that any military action could mark the end of NATO, as the alliance has never faced a scenario in which one member uses force against another.
European allies have voiced strong support for Denmark, emphasizing that Arctic security is a shared responsibility. Countries including France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the U.K. have sent small reconnaissance missions to Greenland, with France’s President Emmanuel Macron confirming the deployment of “land, air, and naval assets.”
The Congressional delegation’s visit follows unsuccessful high-level talks in Washington to persuade Trump to abandon his Greenland plans. Although most members are Democrats opposing Trump, Republicans Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski also participated. Murkowski highlighted Congress’s role in military spending oversight, which could prevent funding for unauthorized operations.
Greenlandic MP Aaja Chemnitz described the meetings with U.S. lawmakers as “hopeful,” emphasizing the importance of international support and allies. She noted that U.S. pressure on Greenland has been ongoing since 2019 and warned that the situation remains fluid.
Trump’s envoy for Greenland, Jeff Landry, told Fox News that the U.S. should negotiate directly with Greenland’s leaders, not Denmark, adding: “The President is serious. He has made his boundaries clear. He has told Denmark what he wants, and now it is up to Secretary Rubio and Vice President JD Vance to make a deal. The United States has always been a welcoming partner. We are not trying to take someone else’s land. We represent freedom, economic strength, and defense.”
