President Donald Trump speaks during the “Great, Historic Investment in Rural Health Roundtable” in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 16, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on eight European countries that oppose U.S. efforts to acquire Greenland.
The tariff will impact Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland starting Feb. 1, according to a Truth Social post on Jan. 17. The countries are all NATO members.
“This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland,” Trump wrote.
“The United States has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years. 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.”
The tariff will increase to 25 percent on June 1.
Trump previously threatened to impose tariffs on any countries that opposed his plan to acquire Greenland, which he urged America must control to protect the Western Hemisphere.
Trump has said that if the United States does not control Greenland, then Russia or China will take it.
“We need Greenland from a national security situation. It’s so strategic right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” the U.S. president said on Jan. 4.
In response to a follow-up question, he also said, “The European Union needs us to have it as well.”
The Golden Dome is a missile defense initiative that will cost approximately $175 billion to complete and aims to be fully operational before Trump’s second term ends.
The system will be capable of intercepting missiles launched from the other side of the world or from space.
In his post, Trump said that if the United States does not acquire Greenland, then “world peace is at stake!”
“This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet,” he added.
“These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question.”
European NATO nations named in Saturday’s newly-announced tariffs on goods sent to America started deploying troops to the Arctic to support Denmark and Greenland.
Trump said the United States is “immediately open to negotiation” with Denmark and any country mentioned in the tariff announcement.
