Tariff Threats Over Greenland Trigger Protests in Denmark and Bipartisan Pushback in Washington

Overview

• President Donald Trump threatened to levy tariffs on countries that oppose U.S. plans to take control of Greenland, repeating that the island is vital to national security and not ruling out force.
• An 11-member bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation led by Sen. Chris Coons met Danish and Greenlandic leaders in Copenhagen to reassure allies, with several lawmakers voicing resistance to annexation or military action.
• Denmark declared a U.S. acquisition of Greenland “out of the question,” as France, Germany, the U.K., Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Finland dispatched small military contingents for reconnaissance and support.
• Following a failed effort to bridge differences at a White House meeting, the U.S., Denmark and Greenland set up a working group that will convene in the coming weeks, and Trump’s envoy Jeff Landry said he plans a March visit.
• Thousands protested in Copenhagen against Trump’s plans, organizers called parallel actions in Nuuk, a Reuters/Ipsos poll shows low U.S. public support for annexation, and Russia issued a note accusing NATO of stoking Arctic militarization.