Trump Leverages Trade Tariffs on European Allies to Force Greenland Sale

Washington D.C., Saturday, 17 January 2026.
As of January 17, 2026, President Trump has escalated his pursuit of Greenland by announcing a 10 percent tariff on imports from eight European nations, effective February 1. This policy, targeting key allies including the UK, France, and Denmark, explicitly aims to pressure Copenhagen into selling the semi-autonomous territory. The administration has outlined a further increase to 25 percent by June if a “complete and total purchase” is not secured. This maneuver represents a critical pivot in U.S. foreign policy, utilizing economic sanctions—typically reserved for adversaries—against NATO partners to achieve territorial goals. While a bipartisan congressional delegation visits Denmark to mitigate diplomatic fallout, the linkage of trade barriers to sovereignty disputes introduces significant volatility to transatlantic markets and underscores the administration’s view of Greenland as a vital national security asset against Chinese and Russian influence.