U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he may impose tariffs on countries that refuse to support U.S. control of Greenland, escalating rhetoric over the future of the semiautonomous Danish territory as U.S. lawmakers worked to ease tensions with allies.
Speaking at a White House event unrelated to foreign policy, Trump said tariffs could be used to push countries to “go along with Greenland,” arguing the Arctic island is vital to U.S. national security. The comments marked the first time he publicly raised tariffs as leverage in the dispute.
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO ally. Trump has repeatedly said U.S. control is necessary, citing concerns about Chinese and Russian interest in the region, which holds significant mineral resources. The White House has not ruled out the use of force, drawing sharp criticism from European leaders.
As Trump spoke, a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation met in Copenhagen with Danish and Greenlandic officials, including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, to reaffirm alliances. Delegation members stressed cooperation and rejected the idea of treating Greenland as a U.S. asset.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Greenland should be viewed as an ally, not territory to be acquired, adding that most Americans oppose a U.S. takeover. Murkowski and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen have introduced legislation to bar U.S. funds from being used to annex Greenland or any NATO ally without consent.
Greenlandic leaders have also pushed back. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Greenland would choose Denmark, NATO and the European Union over the United States if forced to decide. Indigenous leaders warned the rhetoric risks repeating colonial attitudes toward Inuit communities.
The dispute underscores growing strains within NATO as Washington’s tone contrasts sharply with efforts by U.S. lawmakers and European allies to de-escalate the situation.