So what’s behind Trump’s push to take control of Greenland, the world’s largest island, and how have Washington’s NATO allies responded?
What is Trump’s tariff threat on Greenland?
In a post on his Truth social platform on Saturday, Trump wrote that he had subsidized Denmark and other EU countries by not imposing tariffs on them.
“Now, centuries later, it’s time for Denmark to give back – world peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there’s nothing Denmark can do about it.”
Trump said that “the national security of the United States and the world at large is at risk.”
Trump wrote that starting February 1, a 10 percent tariff will be imposed on all exports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland to the United States.
He said that the tariff is to be increased by 25 percent on June 1. “This tariff will remain due and payable until an agreement is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland,” Trump wrote.
Trump further wrote, “The United States has been trying to make this transaction happen for more than 150 years. Many presidents have tried, and with good reason, but Denmark has always refused.”
Is Trump the first US president to occupy Greenland?
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland have consistently stressed that Greenland is not for sale. Over the past few days, Greenlanders have been protesting against Trump’s desire to annex Greenland. Yet Trump has pushed for the acquisition of Arctic territory since his first term, and he is not the first US president to pursue such purchases.
After purchasing Alaska from Russia in 1867, then-Secretary of State William H. Seward tried unsuccessfully to purchase Greenland. During World War II, the US occupied Greenland after Germany invaded Denmark and built military and radio facilities there. It maintains a permanent presence today at Pitufik Space Base in the northwest.
In 1946, when Greenland was still a Danish colony, President Harry S. Truman secretly offered Denmark $100 million for the island, but Copenhagen refused. This proposal became public only in 1991.
Polls have shown that American citizens do not support the annexation of Greenland by Washington. This week, a Reuters/Ipsos poll of US residents showed that less than one in five respondents support the idea of annexing Greenland.
Why does Trump want Greenland?
The island’s location and natural resources make it strategically important to Washington.
Greenland is geographically part of North America, located between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. It is home to 56,000 residents, mostly indigenous Inuit people.
Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, is closer to New York City – about 2,900 km (1,800 mi) away – than Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, which lies 3,500 km (2,174 mi) to the east.
It is a NATO area and an overseas territory associated with the European Union through Denmark, whose residents have EU citizenship.
Its location provides the shortest air and sea routes between North America and Europe, making it strategically important for US military operations and missile early-warning systems. Washington has also sought more radar coverage around the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap to monitor Russian and Chinese activities.
Greenland is rich in minerals, including most of the EU’s listed “critical raw materials”, but there is no oil and gas extraction there, and many indigenous residents oppose large-scale mining. The economy here is mainly dependent on fishing.
As climate change further exposes the Arctic, major powers such as the US, Canada, China and Russia are increasingly interested in its untapped resources.
How has Europe responded to Trump’s tariff threats?
All 27 EU members will convene an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss their response to Trump’s threat.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded in a post on Twitter on Saturday, saying: “Our position on Greenland is very clear – it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for Greenlanders and Danes,” Starmer wrote.
“Imposing tariffs on allies is simply wrong for the collective security of NATO allies. We will certainly be raising this issue directly with the U.S. administration.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also responded in an
“Tariffs would weaken transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous deterioration. Europe will remain united, coordinated and committed to maintaining its sovereignty.”
European Council President Antonio Costa shared a post similar to von der Leyen’s on his X account.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on Twitter: “China and Russia should have a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among the allies.”
Callas said: “Tariffs risk impoverishing Europe and the United States and undermining our shared prosperity.”
Netherlands Foreign Minister David van Weel said during an interview on Dutch television on Sunday: “What he is doing is blackmail, … and it is not necessary. It does not help the alliance (NATO), and it does not help Greenland either.”
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