U.S. President Donald Trump has emphasized his intention to impose tariffs on several European countries if they resist his demand for the United States to take control of Greenland, vowing to follow through on the threat “100%”.
European allies have strongly rejected the proposal, rallying behind Greenland’s sovereignty.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister stressed that the United States cannot coerce its way into acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
The United Kingdom also reaffirmed its position on the matter, with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stating that Greenland’s future should be decided solely by Greenlanders and the Danish government.
Despite the opposition, Trump declined to rule out the use of force and insisted he would proceed with punitive tariffs on goods entering the United States from the UK and seven other NATO-member countries.
In a post on his Truth Social platform early Tuesday, Trump said he had held a “very good telephone call” with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and revealed plans for a meeting involving “various parties” in Switzerland later this week.
“Greenland is imperative for National and World Security. There can be no going back on that, everyone agrees!” Trump wrote.
He announced plans to impose a 10 per cent tariff on all goods imported from the UK starting 1 February, rising to 25 per cent from 1 June, unless an agreement is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.
Trump said the same tariff measures would apply to imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, all members of the NATO alliance established in 1949.
When asked by NBC News whether he would implement the tariffs, Trump responded, “I will, 100%.” Pressed on whether he would use force to seize Greenland, he replied, “No comment.”
Source: BBC News
