US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with several European allies after announcing a fresh round of tariffs tied to opposition against American control of Greenland. The move, unveiled on Saturday, links trade penalties directly to geopolitical demands and has sparked sharp reactions across Europe, raising concerns about the future of transatlantic relations.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States would impose additional 10% import tariffs from February 1 on goods coming from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom. These countries are already facing earlier trade measures imposed during his presidency.
Trump said the tariffs would rise to 25% from June 1 if negotiations fail to produce an agreement allowing the United States to purchase Greenland. According to his statement, the higher tariffs would remain in force until such a deal is reached.
“These countries are playing a very dangerous game,” Trump wrote, adding that their actions have created risks that are “not tenable or sustainable.” He also said Washington remains open to negotiations with Denmark and other nations involved, despite what he described as decades of American protection provided to Europe.
The President has repeatedly argued that Greenland is vital to US national security because of its strategic Arctic location and significant mineral resources. He has also refused to rule out the use of force to take control of the island, an autonomous territory under Denmark, a stance that has alarmed European governments.
Earlier this week, Denmark requested military assistance from its allies, prompting several European nations to send personnel to Greenland. The move was widely seen as a signal of solidarity and a warning against any unilateral action by Washington.
European Union leaders have firmly backed Denmark, warning that any attempt by the United States to seize territory belonging to a NATO member could seriously destabilize the alliance. Britain has also publicly expressed its support for Denmark, reinforcing a united European front on the issue.
Public opposition has also grown. Protests were held on Saturday in Denmark and Greenland, where demonstrators rejected Trump’s demands and called for Greenlanders to decide their own future without external pressure. Many protesters stressed the island’s right to self-determination and warned against turning it into a pawn in global power politics.
Diplomats and analysts say the dispute over Greenland is quickly becoming a broader test of US-European relations. With new tariffs looming and military sensitivities rising in the Arctic, there is growing concern that the standoff could spill over into trade, security and alliance politics.
As the February deadline approaches, governments and markets alike are watching closely, aware that the outcome could have lasting implications for transatlantic ties and global geopolitical stability.