Donald Trump announces 10% tariffs on European countries including UK and Denmark over opposition to US Greenland takeover, rising to 25% in June

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday announced new 10 per cent tariffs on the United Kingdom, Denmark, and several other European countries over their opposition to a potential US takeover of Greenland.

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Trump revealed the measures in a post on Truth Social, stating that tariffs would take effect from February 1, 2026, on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, with plans to increase the levies to 25 per cent from June 1 until a deal on Greenland is finalised.

“On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25 per cent. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland,” Trump wrote, according to The Independent UK.

The tariffs are aimed at European countries that recently deployed troops to Greenland, a mineral-rich territory at the gateway to the Arctic with a population of approximately 57,000.

Trump warned that these nations have “put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable” and described the measures as necessary to “protect Global Peace and Security.”

The announcement escalates tensions within NATO, targeting Denmark, a fellow alliance member, and other partners with which the US maintains critical defence and trade ties.

Since returning to the presidency, Trump has implemented sweeping tariffs on goods from multiple trading partners, citing unfair trade practices and using the levies as leverage to address US geopolitical and economic concerns.

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Analysts warn that the move could provoke unprecedented friction within transatlantic relations, affecting trade, diplomacy, and strategic cooperation across the North Atlantic region.