Trump threatens tariffs on nations opposing US control of Greenland

Copenhagen: US President Donald Trump warned of imposing tariffs on countries refusing to support American control over Greenland, the semiautonomous Danish territory he has long claimed is vital for national security. Speaking at a White House event on rural health care Friday, Trump recounted prior threats of pharmaceutical tariffs against European allies and added he might extend this tactic to force compliance on Greenland, calling anything short of US possession "unacceptable."

The remarks contrasted sharply with a bipartisan Congressional delegation's visit to Copenhagen, where Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Murkowski met Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic lawmakers to affirm 225 years of alliance and stress nurturing ties. Murkowski emphasized viewing Greenland as an ally, not an asset, noting 75% of Americans oppose acquisition per polls, while Coons hailed robust future-oriented dialogue.

Tensions persist despite recent Washington talks between Denmark, Greenland, VP JD Vance, and Secretary Marco Rubio, which formed a working group amid clashing interpretations. Denmark is boosting its military presence there with allies, rejecting external dictates, as Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen affirmed choosing Denmark, NATO, and the EU over the US. Greenlandic MP Aaja Chemnitz dismissed US claims of Chinese and Russian threats as exaggerated lies, with the real danger from America.

Inuit Circumpolar Council chair Sara Olsvig criticized White House rhetoric as revealing disdain for smaller Indigenous peoples, voicing fears of recolonization among Greenland's Inuit. Senators Murkowski and Jeanne Shaheen's bipartisan bill bars US funds for annexing Greenland or any NATO territory without consent, underscoring Congressional pushback against Trump's unruled-out force option.

(Inputs from PTI)