US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday new customs tariffs that could reach up to 25% on products imported from a group of European countries, stating that the measures will remain in place until an agreement is reached for the full purchase of Greenland.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump indicated that starting from 1 February, the countries concerned will be subject to a 10% tariff on all products they export to the United States.
He said, “These countries, which are playing this extremely dangerous game, have adopted a level of risk that is unacceptable and unsustainable.” He added, “By 1 June, the tariffs will rise to 25%. They will remain payable until an agreement is reached for the complete purchase of Greenland.”
Earlier, a US delegation comprising 11 members of the Senate visited the Danish capital, Copenhagen, to discuss the tensions that arose following statements by President Trump regarding Greenland.
The delegation, headed by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Defence Budget Committee, came in the context of Trump’s remarks in which he stated that the United States “needs Greenland for reasons related to national security”.
During the visit, the delegation met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and several members of parliament.
At a press conference following the meetings, Senator Coons said they had learned many aspects about Greenland that they had not previously known, noting that the island’s residents have succeeded in building their lives under harsh natural conditions.
He added, “There is currently no security threat to Greenland, but there are sound reasons to explore better investments related to Arctic security. We return to Washington with a renewed perspective.”
For her part, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed that she was deeply moved by her meeting with members of Greenland’s parliament, stressing the importance of conveying the voice of the island’s population.
Greenland, one of the two self-governing territories within the Kingdom of Denmark alongside the Faroe Islands, is located more than 2,900 kilometres away from Denmark.
In a separate development, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Copenhagen on Saturday to reject Trump’s declaration of his intention to take control of Greenland.
A large crowd protested in the square outside the city hall building, carrying Greenlandic and Danish flags, and chanting “Kalaallit Nunaat”, the name of Greenland in the local language.
