In a recent statement, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that he might impose tariffs on countries that do not support U.S. control over Greenland. This provocative assertion comes as a bipartisan Congressional delegation aims to ease tensions in the Danish capital, Copenhagen. For months, President Trump has been vocal about his belief that the U.S. should have sovereignty over Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. Earlier this week, he emphasized that anything less than U.S. control of the Arctic island would be deemed “unacceptable.”
During an unrelated event focused on rural health care at the White House, Trump recounted how he had previously threatened European allies with tariffs on pharmaceuticals. He remarked, “I may do that for Greenland too,” indicating that he might consider implementing tariffs on countries that do not align with U.S. interests regarding Greenland. “We need Greenland for national security. So I may do that,” he added, marking a notable shift in his approach as he had not previously suggested leveraging tariffs in this context.
This week, the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland convened in Washington with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Although the discussions did not resolve existing differences, an agreement was reached to establish a working group. However, the purposes of this group were met with sharply diverging public statements from both Denmark and the White House. European leaders have asserted that decisions regarding the territory should solely involve Denmark and Greenland. In a show of military solidarity, Denmark announced an increase in its military presence in Greenland in cooperation with its allies.
On the ground in Copenhagen, a bipartisan group of senators and House representatives met with Danish and Greenlandic lawmakers, including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Delegation leader Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, expressed gratitude for “225 years of being a good and trusted ally and partner,” emphasizing the importance of extending that relationship into the future. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, reinforced the message that Greenland should be viewed as an ally rather than merely an asset, highlighting the need to nurture this vital relationship.
The tone from the White House starkly contrasts with the delegation’s message. President Trump has justified his push for U.S. control by suggesting that China and Russia are also eyeing Greenland for its vast untapped reserves of critical minerals. However, many Greenlandic leaders, including politician Aaja Chemnitz, have criticized these claims, asserting that the real threats stem from the U.S. side. “We have heard so many lies, to be honest, and so much exaggeration on the threats towards Greenland,” Chemnitz stated.
Senator Murkowski also emphasized the role of Congress in shaping public policy and relaying constituents' opinions. She noted that a significant majority of Americans—approximately 75%—oppose the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland. To address these concerns, Murkowski, alongside Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at prohibiting the use of U.S. Defense or State Department funds to annex or claim control over Greenland or any NATO member's sovereign territory without proper consent.
The ongoing dispute significantly impacts the lives of Greenlanders. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen recently stated that if forced to choose between the United States and Denmark, Greenland would opt for Denmark, NATO, and the EU. Moreover, the chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, which represents around 180,000 Inuit across various regions, expressed concerns that the U.S. administration's persistent assertions about controlling Greenland reflect a troubling perspective on Indigenous peoples.
According to Sara Olsvig, the issue extends beyond politics; it highlights how one of the world's most powerful nations perceives less powerful communities. She emphasized that Indigenous Inuit in Greenland do not wish to be colonized again, calling for a more respectful and equitable approach to international relations.
As tensions escalate and discussions continue, the future of Greenland remains uncertain, with significant implications for both U.S. foreign policy and the rights of Indigenous peoples.