President Donald Trump announced a new tariff plan targeting a group of European countries he says are blocking his proposal for U.S. control over Greenland.
The move came after a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers traveled to Denmark and publicly backed continued Danish authority over the Arctic territory.
Trump said he will impose a 10% tariff on goods from eight European nations that he has identified as opposing the idea of placing Greenland under U.S. control. The White House did not immediately release an official list of the affected countries. Officials also did not provide details on the types of products that would face new trade duties or the timeline for implementation.
The president’s announcement followed a visit to Copenhagen by members of Congress from both major U.S. political parties. The lawmakers held meetings with Danish officials and expressed support for Denmark’s existing relationship with Greenland. Denmark is a member of the Kingdom of Denmark, which includes Greenland, an autonomous territory with its own government and significant natural resources.
Trump has previously expressed interest in Greenland, citing strategic and economic reasons. He has described the Arctic island as important for security and resource potential. His statements have prompted reactions from Denmark and Greenlandic leaders, who have reaffirmed that Greenland is not for sale and that its people and institutions will decide their own future.
The president framed the action as a response to European resistance to his Greenland proposal. He linked economic measures to a foreign policy goal involving territorial control and influence in the Arctic.
European officials have not yet issued a coordinated response to Trump’s tariff comments. Governments in the region have previously defended Denmark’s role in Greenland and have shown support for maintaining existing international arrangements in the Arctic. Some have stressed the importance of cooperation, climate research, and defense ties rather than territorial realignment.
Danish leaders have repeatedly underlined that any decisions about Greenland must involve both Denmark and Greenland’s elected representatives. They have also referred to international law and existing defense agreements with the United States. Officials in Copenhagen and Nuuk have said that cooperation with Washington remains important but have drawn a line against any transfer of sovereignty.
The U.S. lawmakers who visited Denmark emphasized the value of the long-standing alliance between the two countries. Members of the delegation expressed appreciation for the partnership on NATO operations and Arctic security. They did not support the idea of changing formal control of Greenland.
Ramy Inocencio reported additional details on the announcement and the reactions it has drawn from lawmakers and officials involved in the Greenland discussions.
