US President Donald Trump escalated his push to take control of Greenland on Friday, warning that countries opposing his plan could face trade tariffs. Speaking at a health roundtable at the White House, Trump framed the issue as vital to American security, saying he might impose economic penalties on nations that refuse to back his position on the Arctic territory, which is an autonomous region of NATO ally Denmark.
Trump compared the possible Greenland tariffs to those he previously threatened against France and Germany over drug pricing, signaling that economic pressure remains one of his preferred political tools. His comments come as he intensifies efforts to acquire the mineral-rich island — an ambition he has controversially suggested could be achieved by military force if diplomacy fails.
The former president argues that Greenland is strategically critical for the United States, especially amid growing influence from Russia and China in the Arctic. He has accused Denmark of not doing enough to safeguard the region and has even hinted that the US relationship with NATO could be affected if the alliance does not support his objectives.
When pressed by reporters about whether he would consider withdrawing from NATO, Trump said only that discussions were ongoing and that the alliance had been “dealing with” the Greenland issue. He linked the island to his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, insisting that without Greenland, America would face a serious national security gap.
Meanwhile, European NATO members have rallied behind Denmark and Greenland, with several countries deploying small military contingents to the Arctic for future exercises. A bipartisan US congressional delegation also visited Copenhagen to express solidarity with Denmark.
Despite these tensions, diplomatic channels remain open. Denmark and Greenland’s foreign ministers met with White House officials earlier in the week, acknowledging deep disagreements but agreeing to form a working group that will continue talks every few weeks.
While political leaders debate power, strategy, and territory, the people of Greenland — whose land, culture, and future are at the center of this struggle — watch anxiously, hoping that decisions made thousands of miles away will respect their voice, their identity, and their right to determine their own destiny.
