U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he is levying sanctions against eight of America’s closest European allies as he escalates his campaign to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
Trump announced tariffs scheduled for February against the likes of the United Kingdom, France and Germany “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase” of the island, which he says is critical for American defense.
“We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!”
In recent days, Europe has responded to Trump’s pressure by sending troops from Sweden, Norway, Germany, Finland, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands for military training exercises in Greenland. It’s a bid to show the White House that NATO can stave off threats from Russia and China in the Arctic —without the U.S. taking control.
The president, however, has reacted with suspicion.
A high-level meeting with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Danish officials at the White House on Wednesday didn’t do much to ease the tensions, though the two sides agreed to continue their search for a compromise.
“These countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable,” Trump wrote in the Saturday post.
As of Feb. 1, Trump said, the eight countries — that is, the seven countries that sent troops to Greenland plus Denmark — will face a 10 percent tariff on all exports to the U.S., which will escalate to 25 percent at the beginning of June.
The levies come as the White House faces a potential Supreme Court decision slated for next week that could fundamentally constrain the president’s tariff powers. Trump has urged the court not to rule against his administration, framing tariffs as “literally, LIFE OR DEATH for our Country.”
“The United States has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years,” Trump wrote on Saturday. “Many Presidents have tried, and for good reason, but Denmark has always refused. Now, because of The Golden Dome, and Modern Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important.”
One Republican senator, the retiring Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), often a thorn in Trump’s side, was quick to attack the president’s missive in a post on X.
“This response to our own allies for sending a small number of troops to Greenland for training is bad for America, bad for American businesses, and bad for America’s allies,” he wrote. “It’s great for Putin, Xi and other adversaries who want to see NATO divided.”
Trump will speak to European partners next week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, with his plans for Greenland, Venezuela and Iran sure to serve as major talking points throughout the conference.
The European Union is already under a 15 percent tariff levy on most exports applied last year by the Trump administration. And it’s unlikely that the president will be able to add additional tariffs on individual countries within the continent, which is bound together by a single market.
Felicia Schwartz contributed to this report.
