US Lawmakers Split from Trump on Greenland as Tariffs Loom

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he will impose 10% tariffs on goods from eight NATO countries starting February 1, 2026, because they sent troops to Greenland. The move comes as the US pushes to buy the huge Arctic island from Denmark, which controls its foreign affairs. Trump said the tariffs will rise to 25% on June 1 unless a deal is reached to hand over full control of Greenland to the United States. Meanwhile, a group of US lawmakers visiting Denmark and Greenland said the island should stay independent and be treated as a partner, not property up for grabs.

Background

Talks about the US buying Greenland go back years. In 2019, during his first term, Trump first floated the idea, calling it a smart real estate move because of the island's size. He saw it as a way to boost US power in the Arctic and leave a mark in history, much like past presidents who added land to the country. Denmark's leaders called the suggestion absurd back then, and Greenlanders made it clear they want no part of it.

Now in his second term since 2025, Trump has ramped up the pressure. He argues Greenland is key for US security. Without US control, he warns, Russia or China could grab it. The island sits in a prime spot in the north, home to the US's northernmost military base. It holds oil, gas, minerals, and rare earths. Melting ice there could open new shipping paths, making the area even more important.

Trump has tasked top officials with making a purchase plan. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is working on a proposal due soon. Vice President JD Vance and Rubio met Greenland and Danish leaders at the White House this week to talk security. Denmark offered more US access to bases and bigger defense spending, but drew firm lines: no threats to Greenland's borders or its people's right to decide their future.

Greenland is mostly self-governing but relies on Denmark for defense and global deals. Its leaders have said over and over: the island is not for sale. People there see themselves as a separate nation with their own say.

Key Details

Trump made the tariff announcement in a Truth Social post with no heads-up to allies. The countries hit are Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland. All are NATO partners. They sent small groups of troops to Greenland this week for a quick exercise to show they can move forces fast in the Arctic. The point was to strengthen defenses there without selling out.

Protests and Pushback

Thousands protested in Copenhagen against Trump's plans. Crowds waved signs saying 'Yankee, Go Home' and 'Not for Sale.' Greenlanders and Danes joined in, upset over talk of takeover. In Nuuk, Greenland's capital, locals held rallies too, rejecting any sale or force.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen spoke after the White House meeting.

"It's clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland."
— Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Danish Foreign Minister

US lawmakers flew to Denmark and Greenland at the same time to calm things down. The bipartisan group, including Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, met local leaders. They stressed partnership over purchase.

Cost and Plans

Reports put the price tag for buying Greenland at around $700 billion. That's more than half the yearly budget for the US War Department. Scholars and ex-officials who looked into it early on came up with that number. Trump ties it to his 'Golden Dome' missile defense project, saying the island is vital for it. He has even mentioned taking it by force as a last resort, though no steps have started.

European diplomats say the tariffs caught them off guard. They feel let down and worry this could break ties across the Atlantic. NATO meetings are coming up, and this hangs over them.

What This Means

The tariffs could hit trade hard. These countries send cars, machinery, food, and more to the US. A 10% jump starts soon, then doubles. Businesses there are already talking about higher prices and lost sales. US buyers might pay more too, or switch suppliers.

For NATO, trust takes a hit. Allies sent troops to Greenland to help defend it together, not pick sides in a US-Denmark spat. Now they face penalties for that. Some leaders talk of joint plans if the US pushes harder, like more troops or talks at the UN.

In the US, the idea splits people. Polls show most Americans do not back buying Greenland. Lawmakers from both parties question the cost and the fight with friends. Alaska's senator, whose state shares Arctic interests, wants close ties but no buyout.

Greenland's people face big choices. More US money could flow in for bases or projects, but at what cost to their way of life? Denmark walks a tight line, balancing its alliance with the US against its duty to Greenland.

Trump shows no signs of backing off. He says only America under his lead can handle this right. Meetings continue, with Rubio's plan expected soon. Allies watch close, ready to respond. The Arctic stays a hot spot as powers eye its resources and routes.