Trump threatened tariffs on countries that do not support the US plan for Greenland

On Friday, January 16, during a roundtable on healthcare issues in rural areas, Trump announced his intention to impose tariffs on countries that do not approve his plan for Greenland. NBC News reports that the U.S. president believes the island is necessary for national security.

The president clarified: "I can impose tariffs against countries if they do not support the plan for Greenland," but did not disclose which specific countries might be subject to these tariffs and what rates might be applied.

Denmark, which administers Greenland, has already rejected Trump's proposals to transfer control of the island to the United States. In recent days, military personnel from several European countries that are U.S. allies have arrived in Greenland.

On Wednesday, a meeting took place between the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance in Washington, but the American side's position on the island could not be changed. In response, some European countries announced their intention to send troops to Greenland.

According to media reports, Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motfeldt could not hold back tears during an interview after the meeting at the White House. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark's Foreign Minister, noted that Trump "has a desire to conquer Greenland," while refuting the president's claims that without American control, "Chinese destroyers and submarines will appear on the island."