Trump Considers Imposing High Tariffs on Denmark Over Greenland Dispute
Investing.com -- President-elect Donald Trump has indicated his intention to impose high-level tariffs on Denmark following a dispute over Greenland. Trump had expressed interest in purchasing the autonomous region of Greenland, but this proposal was rejected by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
However, Frederiksen extended an invitation for the U.S. to invest more in Greenland, emphasizing that the U.S. is a key ally and highlighting shared interests in the North Atlantic region. She expressed a preference for the U.S. to play a significant role in the area over Russia.
Greenland has become a point of contention between the U.S. and Denmark. Trump emphasizes the strategic necessity of U.S. control over the island for national security reasons. This suggestion is not new; Trump previously raised this idea during his first presidential term in 2019, which Frederiksen dismissed as “absurd.”
Greenland holds strategic importance due to its location between the Arctic and North Atlantic. The island hosts a base used by the U.S. for missile threat detection and space surveillance. Furthermore, Greenland's significant critical mineral reserves attract the interest of global powers including the U.S., Russia, and China.
As part of the ongoing dispute, Donald Trump Jr. arrived in Greenland on Tuesday. Despite rejecting speculation that his visit aimed at purchasing the island, his father’s comments suggested otherwise. Trump Sr. reported on social media platform Truth Social that he experienced a positive reception in Greenland, emphasizing the need for security, safety, strength, and peace.
Greenland's Prime Minister Múte B. Egede clearly stated that Greenland is not for sale, but is open to agreements. Egede emphasized that the future and independence struggle of Greenland is the work of the Greenlandic people. He expressed the need to establish cooperation with neighboring states, stating that trade relations should not be limited to Denmark.