Greenland PM rebukes Trump’s threats of European tariffs
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen addresses people protesting US President Donald Trump and his intention to buy Greenland, announced on January 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland.
Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday that the Arctic island will not remain under pressure from US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
His comments came shortly after Nielsen joined protesters in Greenland’s capital Nuuk over the weekend, where people marched to demonstrate against Trump’s attempt to seize control of the self-governing Danish territory.
The US president on Saturday threatened to impose an escalating wave of tariffs against eight European countries that oppose his campaign.
European political leaders called the proposed tariffs “unacceptable” and vowed to stand behind Denmark, which is responsible for the island’s foreign, defense and security policies.
Greenland’s Nielsen said in his social media post that the recent demonstrations in Greenland and Denmark show that: “a strong and honorable union“
He also welcomed support from other European leaders, saying it shows a “clear recognition” that Greenland had the right to make its own decisions.
“The latest US statements, including tariff threats, do not change this line. We will not be pressured. We are committed to dialogue, respect and international law,” Nielsen said in a Facebook post, according to Google’s translation.
Trump, who has long wanted to make Greenland a part of the United States, renewed his interest in this vast and mineral-rich region after the daring US military operation against Venezuela on January 3.
The US president has expressed concerns about Russia and China’s Arctic influence, saying the US needs the sparsely populated island for national security reasons, and recently told reporters Washington would seize the self-governing Danish territory “one way or another”.
As part of this move, Trump promised to impose 10% tariffs on Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland from February 1 if they oppose his offer to buy Greenland.
Trump said that the tax applied to these countries will increase to 25 percent as of June 1.
European leaders are expected to meet in the coming days to consider their response, which reportedly could include retaliatory tariffs and broader punitive economic measures against the United States.
