In a bold move, former President Donald Trump announced plans to levy a 10% tariff on several European nations unless Denmark agrees to sell Greenland to the United States. Trump argued that this acquisition is crucial for global security and the safeguarding of U.S. national defense interests.
Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday to elaborate on his stance, stating that the U.S. has long been subsidizing Denmark and other European Union countries. He criticized the lack of tariffs and what he referred to as “maximum protection” that the U.S. has extended to these nations over the years.
“For many years, we have been supporting Denmark and all European Union countries by not imposing tariffs or demanding any other forms of compensation,” Trump expressed in his post.
In his message, Trump insisted that it was time for Denmark to reciprocate, suggesting that “World Peace is at stake.” He emphasized that both China and Russia have shown interest in Greenland, asserting that Denmark is powerless to counter these interests.
“Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!”
Trump wrote that both China and Russia want Greenland and he said there was “not a thing that Denmark can do about it.”
“They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently. Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!” Trump wrote.
“Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake.”
Trump said that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland have “journeyed” to Greenland, for “purposes unknown,” posing a very dangerous situation for the safety, security and survival of our planet.
President Donald Trump announced the United States would impose 10% tariffs on multiple European countries unless Denmark agrees to the purchase of Greenland. (Carsten Snejbjerg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“All of the above-mentioned Countries… will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America,” Trump wrote.
On June 1, 2026, the tariff will be increased to 25%, he said.
“This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
In recent weeks, Trump has zeroed in on Greenland, the world’s largest island at a strategic crossroads in the Arctic, and floated the idea of tariffs being imposed on Friday.
A semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, Greenland is home to a crucial U.S. military base and has taken on growing strategic importance as melting ice opens new shipping lanes and access to a wealth of natural resources.
Ice covers the water in the harbor in Ilulissat, Greenland, on March 8, 2025. (Joe Raedle/Getty)
In his Saturday post, Trump said the United States has tried to purchase Greenland for more than 150 years but that Denmark has repeatedly refused.
He tied the push to modern weapons systems and the “Golden Dome,” saying hundreds of billions of dollars are being spent on related security programs and that the system can only work at maximum efficiency if Greenland is included.
“The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades,” Trump wrote. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump’s remarks come as his administration awaits a Supreme Court ruling on whether some of the tariffs he imposed in 2025 were legal.
