Trump hits Denmark and 7 other Nato allies with tariffs for opposing US on Greenland
The duties will start at 10 per cent in February and go up to 25 per cent in June if no deal is reached for the US to buy the island
Opening a new front in his worldwide tariff onslaught, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would impose a 10 per cent import tax on the United Kingdom and six European countries for opposing his plan to purchase Greenland and that the rate would more than double if they did not let him acquire the Danish territory.
“Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America,” he wrote.
“On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
His latest threat marks a decided escalation of a years-long showdown between Trump and Nato allies, further straining a collective security alliance that has defined international relations for 80 years. This is his latest use of blunt trade measures and intimidation to bend others to his will, spurring investment pledges from some countries and pushback from others including China, Brazil and India.
In his 430-word message on Saturday, the US president appeared to justify his threat based variously on history, unfairness, national security, geopolitics and naked power.