Donald Trump vows to hit Britain with increasing tariffs over Greenland until deal is reached for US to buy the territory
US President Donald Trump today vowed to impose increased tariffs on the UK and other European allies until the US is allowed to buy Greenland.
The tariff will start at 10 percent and come into force on February 1, and will increase to 25 percent on June 1.
Trump announced in a post on Truth Social that the rates would apply to the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.
The UK already pays a 10 per cent tariff on some goods imported by the US after the President introduced a wave of tariffs on countries around the world on April 2, the so-called Independence Day.
In a lengthy post published today on Truth Social, President Trump said: ‘We have subsidized Denmark, all European Union countries, and others for years without charging them duties or any other fees. Now, centuries later, it is time for Denmark to step back; World Peace is in danger!
‘China and Russia want Greenland and there is nothing Denmark can do about it. There are currently two dog sleds as guards, one was recently added.
‘Only the United States of America under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP can play this game and is very successful at it!
‘No one shall touch this sacred piece of land, especially since the national security of the United States of America and the world at large is at stake.
US President Donald Trump today vowed to impose increasing tariffs on Britain and other European allies until the US is allowed to buy Greenland
‘On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland went to Greenland for unknown purposes.
‘This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security and Survival of our Planet. By playing this very dangerous game, these countries have posed a level of risk that is not defensible or sustainable.
‘Therefore, for the preservation of Global Peace and Security, it is imperative that strong measures be taken to bring this potentially dangerous situation to a swift and unquestioned end.
‘From February 1, 2026, a 10% Tariff will apply on all goods shipped to the United States from all above-mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Finland). On June 1, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%.
‘This Tariff shall be due and payable until an Agreement for the Full and Complete acquisition of Greenland shall be reached.’
While most goods in the UK are already subject to a basic tariff of ten per cent, some goods have a higher rate; British steel, aluminum and passenger cars are currently subject to a 25 per cent tariff.
The announcement comes after Britain and several other European allies announced this week that a small number of troops would be deployed to Greenland in response to Trump’s recent comments about the island.
Trump claims the United States needs mineral-rich Greenland and criticizes Denmark for not doing enough to ensure its security.
He has insisted for months that the US should control the semi-autonomous region of Denmark and said earlier this week that anything less than US control of the Arctic island would be ‘unacceptable’.
A bipartisan congressional delegation arrived in Copenhagen on Friday for talks aimed at boosting support for America’s NATO ally.
The 11 congressmen and women were to meet with Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
‘We show bipartisan solidarity with the people of this country and Greenland. They have been our friends and allies for decades,” Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin told reporters.
‘We want them to know that we appreciate it very much. And the statements made by the president do not reflect how the American people feel.’
The delegation’s visit follows a meeting in Washington on Wednesday, where Danish representatives said they had a “fundamental disagreement” with Trump over Greenland.
Hundreds of people braved near-freezing temperatures to march in Greenland’s capital today in a rally in support of their own self-rule in the face of the threat of a US takeover.
Greenlanders waved their red-and-white national flags and listened to traditional songs as they marched through Nuuk’s small city center on Saturday.
Some held banners with messages such as ‘We are shaping our future’, ‘Greenland is not for sale’ and ‘Greenland is already GREAT’.
Thousands more attended rallies in the Danish kingdom.
This is breaking news and is being updated.
