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New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced a 10 per cent tariff on imports from several European countries, accusing them of opposing America's plan to acquire Greenland.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the tariffs would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland from February 1, 2026. He added that the tariff would be raised to 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if a deal is not reached for what he described as the "complete and total purchase of Greenland" by the United States.
Trump said the tariffs would remain in force until such an agreement is reached.
"We have subsidized Denmark and the countries of the European Union for many years by not charging them tariffs," Trump wrote, adding that Greenland was vital for US and global security. He claimed that China and Russia wanted Greenland and that only the United States could protect it.
Trump further said that the United States has been "trying to do this transaction for over 150 years" adding that many American presidents have tried but Denmark has always refused.
The announcement came a day after Trump warned that Washington could impose trade penalties on countries that do not support his Greenland plans.
European leaders have said that decisions on Greenland rest solely with Denmark and Greenland. Denmark has stated that it is increasing its military presence in Greenland in cooperation with allies.
The White House has said European military deployments would not affect Trump's goal of taking over Greenland. French Armed Forces Minister Alice Rufo said Europe's presence signalled its readiness to defend sovereignty.
Trump has repeatedly argued that the mineral-rich Arctic island is critical to US national security and has said anything short of Greenland being under US control is "unacceptable". He has justified the move as necessary to prevent China and Russia from gaining influence over the territory.
On Wednesday, Danish officials said Copenhagen and Washington were in "fundamental disagreement" over Greenland's future following talks in Washington.
