Overview
- The White House plan would add 10% tariffs on all imports from Feb. 1, rising to 25% on June 1, targeting Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland until a U.S. purchase of Greenland is agreed.
- President Trump cast the move as necessary for U.S. security and accused European deployments to Greenland of creating a “very dangerous situation,” citing concerns about Russian and Chinese influence.
- Brussels and national capitals condemned the announcement, with Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa warning of a transatlantic “downward spiral” as governments coordinate next steps under EU instruments.
- A Denmark-led reconnaissance mission is under way in Greenland, with 15 Bundeswehr personnel and teams from several NATO countries assessing conditions for potential joint exercises.
- Thousands protested in Nuuk and Danish cities against any U.S. takeover, while visiting U.S. lawmakers in Copenhagen signaled opposition to the tariff push and said they would raise concerns with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.