The dispute over the strategically important Arctic island of Greenland escalated massively on January 17, 2026. US President Donald Trump announced via social media that he would introduce punitive tariffs against eight European countries. Starting February 1st, imports from Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland would be subject to a 10 percent tariff rate. If no agreement for the complete purchase of Greenland is reached by June 1st, a hike to 25 percent is threatened.
Trump justified this action with the national security of the United States. He accused the affected countries of playing a 'dangerous game' by sending military personnel to Greenland. In his view, the island is essential for a US missile defense system to counter threats from Russia and China. According to Trump, Denmark, to whose kingdom Greenland belongs as an 'autonomous' territory, lacks the capacity to independently defend the island.
The announcement sparked outrage across the political spectrum in Europe. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the tariffs as 'completely wrong,' while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized that they would not be intimidated. Mass protests took place in the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk, as well as in Copenhagen, under the slogan 'Hands off Greenland.' Experts point out that Greenland has gained massive geostrategic importance due to climate change and the resulting accessibility of raw materials such as rare earths and new shipping routes.
