U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday declared plans to impose a 10% tariff on goods from several European allies in response to their opposition to U.S. efforts to gain control over Greenland.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that 10% tariffs would be implemented on February 1 for Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
He further stated that the tariffs would increase to 25% on June 1 and remain in effect until an agreement is reached.
Trump seemed to suggest that the tariffs were intended to pressure Denmark and other European nations into negotiations over Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark that he views as essential to U.S. national security.
His statement represents the latest escalation in tensions between the United States and several of its closest European allies.
The United States currently maintains a trade framework agreement with the European Union that limits tariffs to 15%, along with a separate accord with the United Kingdom, capping import tariffs at 10%. It remains uncertain whether the proposed tariffs would override these agreements or be applied in addition to the existing rates.
The European Union is both America’s largest trading partner and its primary source of imports.
Trump also linked the demand to U.S. missile defense objectives, referencing the ‘Golden Dome’ and advanced weapons systems.
He noted that hundreds of billions of dollars are being invested in security programs associated with the project, including possible protection for Canada, and argued that the system could achieve its ‘maximum potential and efficiency’ only if Greenland were incorporated.
The legal basis for the new tariffs remains unclear. At present, tariffs on the United Kingdom and the European Union have been imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on whether the law gives Trump the authority to implement his country-specific reciprocal tariffs.
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