Trump threatens seven European countries with tariffs over annexing Greenland
In a new escalation that has sparked widespread controversy in international political circles, former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump leveled sharp accusations against seven European countries, describing their actions in Greenland as "a very dangerous game." These statements were made via his "Truth Social" platform, where Trump linked these actions to a threat to world peace, arguing that the current situation requires decisive intervention.
Details of the accusations and economic threats
In his post, Trump specifically named Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, accusing them of targeting Greenland for what he termed an "unknown" purpose. The US president didn't stop at political accusations; he also threatened economic sanctions, announcing his intention to impose new tariffs of up to 25% on goods imported from these European countries. Trump linked the lifting of these tariffs to reaching an agreement that would allow the United States to purchase Greenland outright, a clear indication of his determination to annex the island.
The strategic importance of Greenland: Why now?
To understand the context of this American insistence, one must consider Greenland's growing geopolitical importance. The Arctic island is rich in untapped natural resources, including rare earth minerals vital to modern technological and military industries. Furthermore, the melting of Arctic ice is opening up new shipping lanes that could reshape global trade, making control of the island a major strategic advantage.
Trump pointed out that “China and Russia want Greenland,” arguing that Denmark is unable to protect the island alone in the face of these international ambitions, which justifies – from his point of view – the need for direct American intervention to ensure that this vital region does not fall under the influence of Washington’s rivals.
Historical background and expected effects
Washington's desire to buy Greenland is not new; President Harry Truman offered to purchase the island in 1946 for $100 million in gold, given its strategic location that allowed for monitoring the Soviet Union at the time. Trump revived this interest in 2019, causing a temporary diplomatic crisis with Denmark when its prime minister described the idea as "ridiculous.".
Observers believe that reviving this issue now, and linking it to punitive tariffs, could lead to significant tensions within NATO, especially since the targeted countries are traditional allies of the United States. Furthermore, imposing a 25% tariff could ignite a new trade war, harming the already volatile global economy and placing transatlantic relations under considerable strain in the coming period.
