Trump said the tariffs would take effect in the coming weeks and described them as a response to “unfair political pressure” from European governments that have publicly rejected any notion of U.S. control over the Arctic island. He did not immediately name all the countries affected, but officials indicated they include key European allies that have voiced strong support for Denmark and Greenland’s right to self-determination.
The announcement has triggered sharp reactions across Europe, where leaders warned that linking trade penalties to territorial disputes sets a dangerous precedent. Several governments said the move undermines long-standing alliances and risks escalating into a broader trade conflict at a time when global economic conditions remain fragile.
Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has repeatedly stated that it is not for sale and that its future will be decided by its people. Danish officials reaffirmed that position, calling Trump’s tariff threat “unacceptable” and emphasizing that sovereignty issues cannot be negotiated through economic coercion.
Trade analysts warned that the tariffs could disrupt supply chains, raise costs for consumers, and provoke retaliatory measures from Europe. Industries on both sides of the Atlantic, already grappling with uncertainty, expressed concern that political disputes are increasingly spilling into trade policy.
In Washington, administration officials defended the move as leverage to protect U.S. strategic interests in the Arctic, a region gaining importance due to climate change, natural resources, and new shipping routes. Critics, however, said the decision risks isolating the U.S. from allies and weakening cooperation on security and climate issues.
As European governments weigh their response, markets and diplomats alike are bracing for further escalation, with many warning that the dispute over Greenland has now evolved into a broader test of transatlantic relations.