Trump Hits Eight European Allies With Tariffs Over Greenland Standoff

President Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on goods from eight European countries that oppose his push to acquire Greenland. The tariffs target Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland—and will rise to 25% in June if Denmark doesn't agree to sell the territory.

The announcement drew sharp backlash across Europe. European ambassadors convened an emergency meeting in Brussels, warning the tariff threats risk a dangerous downward spiral in relations with the United States. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded bluntly: "Europe will not be blackmailed."

In Greenland itself, protesters gathered in the streets. The island is a self-governing Danish territory with a population of about 57,000.

Trump has framed the acquisition as a national security priority, citing plans for a missile defense system he's calling the "Golden Dome."

"If we don't have it, we have a big hole in national security," Trump said.

Critics counter that the U.S. already operates a military base in Greenland and that Denmark has agreed to support American defense needs there. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, called the effort a land grab for Greenland's critical minerals rather than a security measure.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed back on that characterization. "He is looking beyond this year. He's looking beyond next year to what could happen for a battle in the Arctic," Bessent said. "We are not going to outsource our national security."