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Trump Threatens Tariffs Over Greenland, Citing National Security Needs

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on countries that oppose Washington's plans to acquire Greenland, which he deems critical for national security against Russia and China. Denmark and other NATO allies have refused the territorial demand, with European nations even sending troops to bolster Greenland's security. A recent meeting between Danish, Greenlandic, and US officials failed to change the stance of key American figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Russia has seized on the tension to criticize the West's international order as Denmark plans to increase its military presence in Greenland.

Key Points: Trump Threatens Tariffs to Acquire Greenland for Security

  • Trump links Greenland to US national security
  • Denmark and NATO allies refuse to cede territory
  • European troops deploy to Greenland
  • Russia criticizes West's "rules-based order"
  • Meeting fails to shift US stance
2 min read

"I may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland": Trump

US President Donald Trump threatens tariffs on countries opposing the US acquisition of Greenland, citing national security against Russia and China.

"I may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security. - Donald Trump"

Washington DC, January 17

US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries opposing Washington's plans to acquire Greenland for "national security" reasons.

"I may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security," he said.

Trump has repeatedly asserted that Greenland is important to safeguard the US from Russia and China's presence in the Arctic Ocean, and has demanded that the Kingdom of Denmark sell the self-governed territory.

However, Denmark and other NATO allies have refused to cede the territory to the US, with France, Germany and other European countries sending their troops to Greenland to help boost the security.

Earlier, speaking to the reporters on the South Lawn, Trump emphasised the necessity of acquiring Greenland and also talked about the US's military power, citing their recent operations in Venezuela and Iran.

"NATO has been dealing with us on Greenland. We need Greenland for national security very badly. If we don't have it, we have a big hole in national security, especially when it comes to what we're doing in terms of the Golden Dome and all of the other things," he said.

"We have a lot of investments in the military. We have the strongest military in the world, and it's only getting stronger. And you saw that with Venezuela. You saw that with the attack on Iran, with the knocking out of their nuclear capabilities," he added.

Russia, which has maintained that it has no intention of acquiring Greenland, called out the West over the recent development for its "failure" to maintain a rule-based International order.

In a post on X, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia quoted Zakharova as saying, "Current tensions over Greenland sharply expose the failure of the West's so-called 'rules-based international order'. It is plainly visible that Copenhagen's long-standing policy of unconditional subordination to the US is fundamentally flawed."

On Wednesday, Denmark said it plans to increase its military presence in Greenland after the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers met with White House representatives in Washington DC, to discuss Trump's intentions to take over the semiautonomous Danish territory to tap its mineral resources amid rising Russian and Chinese interest.

But the meeting could not budge US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance from their stance, as per Al Jazeera.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
From an Indian perspective, this is concerning. We've seen how superpower rivalry in the Arctic can spill over. It distracts from real global issues like climate change, which affects us all, especially with our long coastline.
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Rohit P
Honestly, this feels like a distraction. The US should focus on fixing its own economy and social issues instead of trying to bully smaller nations. Tariffs as a threat? That's not how diplomacy works, yaar.
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Priya S
Russia calling out the West for failing a "rules-based order" is the height of irony! But they have a point here. This whole situation shows how fragile international norms are when a powerful country decides to ignore them.
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Michael C
While I understand the strategic importance, the method is all wrong. Threatening allies with tariffs undermines NATO itself. India should watch this carefully - it shows the volatility we might face in our own region from great power politics.
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Nikhil C
It's all about resources. They talk about national security, but it's the minerals under the ice they want. Reminds me of old-school resource grabs. Hope Denmark and Greenland stand firm. 🙏

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