US President Trump plans tariffs on European countries over Greenland dispute

US President Announces Tariffs on European Countries Over Greenland Dispute

In a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on eight European countries in response to their opposition to US control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory of Greenland. The tariffs, which will be implemented on February 1, will initially apply at a rate of 10 percent and increase to 25 percent on June 1.

The affected countries include Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Trump stated that the tariffs would remain in place until an agreement is reached for the US to acquire Greenland.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered in cities across Denmark to express their opposition to Trump’s repeated threats to take control of the territory. In Copenhagen, protesters waved Danish flags and chanted slogans, including “Kalaallit Nunaat,” the name of Greenland in Greenlandic.

A bipartisan US congressional delegation visited Copenhagen earlier that day, where they met with Danish officials and expressed support for the country and its relationship with NATO. Senator Chris Coons stated that he hoped Denmark would not abandon its faith in the American people.

The dispute over Greenland’s status has been ongoing since Trump’s return to the White House in January. A recent poll found that 85 percent of Greenlanders oppose the territory joining the US, while only 6 percent were in favor. The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week, but failed to change the US administration’s stance on the issue.

Source: Al Jazeera