Trump threatens tariffs to annex Greenland: The full story and strategic dimensions
In a new escalation of the issue that has sparked widespread international controversy, US President Donald Trump on Friday his intention to use economic pressure by threatening to impose tariffs on countries that oppose his plan to acquire Greenland . This threat comes despite the island belonging to Denmark, a close ally and member of NATO .
During a meeting dedicated to discussing the health file at the White House, Trump directly linked trade policy to geopolitical goals, saying: “I may impose tariffs on countries if they do not support (the plan regarding) Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security purposes,” emphasizing in a firm tone: “I may do that.”.
The strategic importance of Greenland
The United States' interest in Greenland is not a recent development or simply a real estate deal. The island enjoys a vital strategic location in the Arctic and is a key pillar of the American defense system. It is home to Thule Air Base, the northernmost US military base, which plays a pivotal role in the ballistic missile early warning system and space surveillance.
Moreover, as the ice melts in the Arctic, the island's importance as a new shipping route and a rich source of natural resources and rare earth minerals is increasing, which Trump explicitly pointed out when he accused the island of failing to protect itself and its resources in the face of the rising influence of both Russia and China in that cold region.
A historical context of American ambitions
Historically, the Trump administration was not the first to seek to annex the island; in 1946, US President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million in gold for Greenland, but the offer was rejected. The renewed interest in the Arctic reflects the growing importance of the region in the context of international competition among great powers.
Escalating pressure and international reactions
Trump likened the potential tariffs to those he previously threatened to impose on France and Germany over pharmaceutical prices, indicating his strategy of using economics as a tool for political negotiation. This threat is part of an intensified campaign to annex the self-governing island, with the US president not ruling out various options to achieve this goal.
In contrast, European countries have shown broad solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, expressing their readiness to provide support, including sending troops to strengthen the security of the strategically located territory, in response to the growing threats.
Efforts to contain the crisis
On the diplomatic front, a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress visited Copenhagen to express support for the traditional alliance with Denmark and to try to ease tensions. The White House also hosted the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland for talks aimed at defusing the crisis.
Despite both sides acknowledging a "fundamental disagreement" with Trump's vision, the United States, Denmark and Greenland agreed to form a "working group" to continue the dialogue, in an attempt to find common ground that preserves security interests without compromising Danish territorial sovereignty.
