Trump Issues Ultimatum to Europe: Sell Us Greenland or Face Immediate Trade War

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with key European allies, threatening to impose sweeping tariffs on eight nations unless they facilitate the United States' purchase of Greenland.

According to a live report from BBC News, the President announced on Saturday, January 17, that the U.S. will levy a 10% tariff on "any and all goods" exported from Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland. The tariffs are scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2026, and will rise to 25% on June 1 unless "a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland."

President Trump framed the ultimatum as a matter of national security, asserting that "world peace is at stake" because adversaries like China and Russia also covet the territory. He reportedly emphasized the need for U.S. control over the island to maximize the efficiency of a proposed "Golden Dome" defense system.

The announcement drew immediate condemnation from European leaders. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a sharp rebuke, describing the threat as "completely wrong."

"Our position on Greenland is very clear – it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes," Starmer said in a statement.

Officials in Denmark echoed these sentiments, declaring they would not "bow down" to what they characterized as "bullying tactics." Meanwhile, in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, demonstrators took to the streets holding banners that read "Greenland is for Greenlanders," protesting the renewed attempts to acquire their autonomous territory.

This is not the first time Donald Trump has expressed interest in buying the world's largest island, having previously floated the idea during his first term in office. However, the linkage of trade penalties to the acquisition marks a significant escalation in his approach.