The U.S. President Donald J. Trump has renewed his long-standing call for the United States to acquire Greenland, warning of global security risks and calling for steep tariffs on several European nations if his demands are not met.
In a lengthy post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that Denmark and other European Union nations (Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland) have benefited for decades from U.S. protection without adequate compensation. He argued that Greenland has become strategically critical amid growing geopolitical competition involving China and Russia.
Trump alleged that Denmark lacks the capacity to defend Greenland and described its current security presence as minimal.
In the post, Trump said that, the United States would impose a 10% tariff starting February 1, 2026, on goods imported from the listed countries, with the rate rising to 25% by June 1, 2026, unless a deal is reached to transfer control of Greenland to the U.S.
He framed the proposal as a national security measure rather than a trade dispute, claiming that Greenland is essential to modern missile defense systems and future strategic planning.
Trump linked the issue to advanced U.S. defense initiatives, including what he described as a next-generation missile shield system, arguing that Greenland’s geography is critical for its effectiveness.
According to Trump, the island’s location would be central to protecting not only the United States but also parts of North America, including Canada.
