Trump Escalates Greenland Push as Denmark Reinforces and NORAD Aircraft Head to Island

Overview

• President Donald Trump affirmed 10% tariffs on eight European countries from Feb. 1, rising to 25% by June 1 without a deal, declined to rule out force, said European leaders “won’t offer much resistance,” and plans to discuss the issue with various parties at Davos after speaking with NATO’s Mark Rutte.
• Denmark deployed additional troops to Nuuk and said it will keep a reinforced presence in 2026, with allied participation in the Arctic Endurance exercise.
• NORAD said U.S. and Canadian aircraft will arrive soon at Pituffik Air Base for long‑planned activities coordinated with Denmark and Greenland.
• European governments issued a joint rejection of tariff coercion and are weighing retaliation, with EU capitals considering counter‑tariffs or curbs on U.S. market access.
• The Kremlin’s Dmitry Peskov said Trump would “enter history” if he annexed Greenland, while former Trump adviser Gary Cohn called an invasion a step too far and predicted the island remains under Danish sovereignty.