Denmark Pushes Back as Trump Threatens Tariffs Over Greenland

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on eight US allies in February, with Denmark among those facing potential economic pressure, in a dramatic escalation of his campaign to bring Greenland under American control. The move has prompted a sharp rebuke from Danish leadership, who say the country will not be intimidated into surrendering the autonomous territory.

The tariff threat marks a significant hardening of Trump's rhetoric around Greenland, which he has repeatedly described as vital to US national security because of its natural resources and strategic Arctic location. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded by stating that Europe will not be blackmailed, signaling that Copenhagen intends to stand firm against the pressure campaign.

Trump has argued that if the United States does not acquire Greenland, Russia or China will move to control the territory. He has suggested multiple pathways for bringing the island under US jurisdiction, including outright purchase or establishing a Compact of Free Association that would make Greenland self-governing while keeping it closely tied to American defense and economic interests.

Background

Greenland has been a Danish territory for over three hundred years, but its relationship with Copenhagen has evolved significantly in recent decades. In 1979, Denmark granted the island home rule, allowing Greenlanders to manage some internal affairs while Denmark retained control of foreign policy, defense, and other key areas.

That arrangement expanded dramatically in 2009 when Denmark passed the Self-Government Act. The legislation transferred control of 33 additional government areas to Greenland's local parliament, known as Inatsisartut, while Denmark maintained authority over foreign affairs, defense, national security, and monetary policy. Denmark continues to provide an annual subsidy of approximately 500 million dollars to support the territory's economy.

The 2009 law also included a historic provision recognizing Greenlanders as a separate people with the right to self-determination under international law. It established a legal pathway for Greenland to pursue independence, requiring negotiations between the Danish and Greenlandic governments, approval from Inatsisartut, and a referendum among Greenland's residents.

In recent years, a growing independence movement has taken root on the island. In 2023, Greenland unveiled its first draft constitution, calling for the creation of a Greenlandic republic and full independence from Denmark. That movement gained momentum in March 2025 when Greenland's center-right Democratic Party, which advocates for a gradual approach to independence, won parliamentary elections. The result underscored residents' desire for greater sovereignty.

Key Details

Trump's interest in Greenland is not new. He has spoken about acquiring the territory on multiple occasions, most recently in January 2026 when he told reporters that American control of the island was essential to national security.

"If we don't do it, Russia or China will," Trump said in recent comments to journalists.

The White House arranged a high-level meeting with Danish and Greenlandic officials to discuss the matter, but the gathering ended in what observers described as a political impasse. Neither Denmark nor Greenland showed any willingness to consider the proposal.

Under international law and existing agreements, the United States could theoretically acquire Greenland only with the consent of both the Danish government and Greenland's self-ruling parliament. Experts have noted that the US pursued a similar purchase when it acquired Alaska from Russia in 1867.

Greenlandic officials have indicated they are open to strengthening their existing defense partnership with the United States, but they have made clear they are not interested in becoming part of America. Danish leaders have stated that Greenland is not for sale and that while Copenhagen wishes to keep the island part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it respects Greenlanders' right to choose their own future.

The Tariff Threat

The threat to impose tariffs on eight allied nations represents a significant shift in Trump's approach. Rather than continuing with diplomatic pressure, the administration has moved toward economic coercion. The February deadline gives the affected countries roughly four weeks to respond to the threat.

Denmark's inclusion on the list signals that the administration intends to pressure Copenhagen specifically on the Greenland issue. The move has alarmed European leaders, who see it as an attempt to weaponize trade policy to achieve geopolitical goals.

What This Means

The escalating tensions highlight the complex geopolitical competition for influence in the Arctic region. Greenland sits at the intersection of major shipping routes and contains significant mineral resources, making it strategically important as climate change opens new possibilities for resource extraction and maritime commerce.

For Denmark, the tariff threat creates a difficult balancing act. The country must maintain its alliance with the United States while respecting Greenland's autonomy and the wishes of its residents. The Danish government has shown no signs of capitulating to pressure, but the economic stakes are real.

For Greenland, the situation offers both challenges and opportunities. The territory has been gradually moving toward independence, and this episode may accelerate that process if residents view external pressure as a reason to assert their sovereignty more forcefully. At the same time, Greenland's leaders have signaled openness to deepening security cooperation with the United States on their own terms.

The dispute also reflects broader tensions within the Western alliance. European leaders are watching closely to see whether the Trump administration will follow through on tariff threats against NATO members and other longtime partners. The outcome could reshape relationships that have underpinned international stability for decades.