January 19, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
Washington, D.C. — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his controversial campaign to bring the Arctic territory of Greenland under American control, declaring “the time has come to act” in a post on his social platform and threatening punitive tariffs against allied nations that oppose his plan. The growing diplomatic standoff has prompted rare unified pushback from key European partners including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland and ignited concerns about a transatlantic rupture and trade conflict.
Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark strategically located in the Arctic, reflects his long-standing belief reiterated in recent posts that the United States must assume control of the island to counter perceived Russian and Chinese influence in the region. Trump claims that although NATO allies have been warned about Arctic security vulnerabilities for decades, they have failed to act sufficiently, prompting his declaration that a U.S. solution is necessary.
In a sweeping move first announced on January 17, Trump stated that unless Greenland is made available for U.S. acquisition, the United States will impose a 10 % tariff on imports from the opposing European nations starting February 1, rising to 25 % by June 1 if no agreement is reached. The targeted countries include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.
European capitals responded swiftly and forcefully. Leaders in Paris, Berlin and London condemned the tariff threat as “blackmail” and “unacceptable,” warning that coercive trade measures against long-standing NATO partners risk undermining the fabric of the alliance and transatlantic cooperation on global security issues. Talks were convened in Brussels among European Union ambassadors, with an extraordinary summit slated for January 22 to coordinate diplomatic and economic responses.
In an unusually blunt joint message, the governments of the eight affected nations reaffirmed their solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, defended the island’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and called for negotiations grounded in respect for international law rather than economic coercion. Officials stressed that military deployments to Greenland part of NATO’s Exercise Arctic Endurance are defensive and cooperative in nature, not a provocation.
Denmark’s prime minister welcomed the European unity and urged ongoing dialogue with Washington to reduce tensions, while reminding global audiences that Greenland’s future must be determined by its own people, not imposed by external powers. Greenland’s leaders echoed this stance, thanking European supporters and rejecting any talk of U.S. annexation.
The diplomatic pushback comes against the backdrop of Greenland crisis dynamics that have been unfolding since late 2025: repeated threats by Trump, widespread protests in Greenland and Denmark under the slogan “Hands off Greenland,” and expanded NATO cooperation on Arctic security. Critics warn that Trump’s use of trade threats to achieve territorial goals is unprecedented and could imperil decades of alliance cohesion.
Trade experts say the looming tariffs if implemented could trigger a broad transatlantic trade dispute, potentially igniting retaliatory measures from the European Union, including tariff instruments never before deployed in disputes with the United States. Analysts also caution that prolonged tensions could derail cooperation on Ukraine, climate security, and global economic stability.
In Washington, lawmakers from both parties have expressed unease about Trump’s approach. Some Republicans have criticized the tariffs as overreach, while Democrats see the strategy as dangerous and destabilizing for U.S. alliances. Negotiators on Capitol Hill are expected to debate possible limits on executive authority to impose such measures in the coming weeks.
As diplomatic activity intensifies, all eyes remain on the January 22 EU summit, follow-up NATO consultations, and bilateral talks between U.S. and European leaders — which may determine whether this crisis escalates into a prolonged geopolitical confrontation or is defused through negotiation.
Key Developments to Watch:
• June 1, 2026: Tariffs could rise to 25 % unless a Greenland agreement is reached.
• Jan. 22, 2026: Extraordinary EU summit on Greenland tariffs and transatlantic relations.