Trump Announces Tariffs on Eight European Countries Over Greenland Dispute

On January 17, 2026, President Donald Trump announced new tariffs targeting imports from eight European countries, citing recent military activity in Greenland as a key factor in the decision.

The tariffs, set at 10%, will apply to goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1, 2026. Trump stated that the tariff rate would rise to 25% on June 1, 2026, unless the United States completes what he described as a “complete and total purchase of Greenland.”.

According to Trump, the measure was introduced in response to European troop deployments to Greenland and opposition to U.S. control over the territory, which is semi-autonomous and associated with Denmark. The tariffs are connected to the NATO exercise known as “Operation Arctic Endurance,” during which several European nations sent troops to Greenland.

Following the announcement, protests took place in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, as well as in Copenhagen. Demonstrators gathered in both cities to express their response to the new U.S. policy regarding trade and territorial interests in Greenland.

What the numbers show

• Tariffs set at 10% on imports from eight European countries
• Tariffs take effect on February 1, 2026
• Potential increase to 25% on June 1, 2026, if conditions are not met

European leaders responded to the announcement by issuing public statements. French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the tariffs and stated that the measures could undermine transatlantic relations. Their statements were made shortly after the U.S. announcement and reflected official European positions on the dispute.

The new tariffs are part of a broader dispute involving the status of Greenland and recent military exercises in the Arctic region. The United States has linked the trade measures to European actions in Greenland, particularly troop deployments during the NATO exercise.

Greenland, while part of the Kingdom of Denmark, maintains a degree of autonomy. The recent NATO activities and subsequent U.S. response have brought renewed attention to the territory’s international status and its role in regional security arrangements.

As of the announcement date, the tariffs are scheduled to remain in effect unless the conditions outlined by Trump are met. The situation has prompted ongoing discussions among the affected countries and within international organizations.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.