January 17, 2026, 5:40 p.mJan 17, 2026, 5:53 p.m
US President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs. (archive image)Image: keystone
He just can’t help it: US President Donald Trump has imposed new import tariffs of 10 percent against various European countries in the dispute over the future of the Danish island of Greenland. He wrote this in a long statement on his social media platform Truth Social.
Specifically, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Finland will be subject to the additional tariff rate from February 1st. The new tariffs will apply to all exports to the USA. From June 1, 2026, the rate is to be increased to 25 percent.
Image: sc/truth social
Trump himself provides the answer to the question of why exactly these countries are being hit: In a sign of increasing tensions, they have relocated soldiers to Greenland – “for unknown reasons,” said Trump.
It’s about world peace, said the US President. China and Russia have great interest in Greenland, and Denmark does not have the capacity (“They have two sled dogs for protection”) to defend the island. Greenland’s strategic position is central to the “Golden Dome” defense system, which, according to Trump, can also ensure Canada’s security.
It is therefore essential that the USA buys Greenland to ensure global security. The tariffs should therefore remain in place until a purchase agreement is concluded. The USA is ready “from now on” for negotiations with Denmark “and all these countries that endanger so much”.
(cpf)
More on the Greenland situation: