Copenhagen,
US President Donald Trump has warned that he could impose tariffs on countries that oppose his plan to bring Greenland under US control, as a bipartisan group of American lawmakers visited Denmark to express support for Copenhagen and its autonomous Arctic territory.
Speaking on Friday, Trump reiterated his long-standing argument that the mineral-rich island was vital to US national security and said he “may put a tariff” on countries that resist his position. Denmark has repeatedly rejected any suggestion of selling or transferring sovereignty over Greenland.
The comments came as 11 members of the US Congress, from both major parties, held talks in Copenhagen with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and senior Danish officials, including the foreign and defence ministers.
Members of the delegation stressed that Trump’s territorial ambitions did not reflect the views of most Americans. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said there had been “good dialogue” during the visit and emphasised the importance of maintaining strong ties between the United States, Denmark and Greenland.
She said “the vast majority” of Americans did not believe it was a good idea for the United States to acquire Greenland, adding that the island should be treated as an ally rather than an asset.
Diplomatic Tensions and European Support
The visit followed talks in Washington earlier in the week, after which Danish representatives said there was a “fundamental disagreement” between Copenhagen and the Trump administration over Greenland’s future.
Democratic Senator Chris Coons said the purpose of the congressional visit was to listen to Danish and Greenlandic leaders and help ease tensions. He said lawmakers would return to the US to share those perspectives in the hope of encouraging a more constructive dialogue.
European governments have also moved to signal their support for Greenland. Denmark recently increased its military presence on the island, and several NATO allies — including Britain, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden — have announced the deployment of small numbers of personnel to participate in Arctic training exercises.
Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command said the military activity was focused on preparing for future security challenges in the region, particularly in relation to Russia’s expected strategic shift once the war in Ukraine ends.
Major General Soren Andersen, head of the command, said the United States had been invited to participate in the reconnaissance mission and stressed that it was not directed at Washington. He added that he had not observed Russian or Chinese combat vessels in the area during his tenure.
Reaction in Greenland
In Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, residents welcomed the show of support from US lawmakers. Some locals dismissed Trump’s proposal as unrealistic, expressing confidence that the US Congress would not back any attempt to seize control of the island.
Demonstrations are planned across Denmark and Greenland on Saturday, with protests expected in Nuuk and several Danish cities, including Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense. Organisers say the rallies are intended to oppose Trump’s plan and reaffirm Greenland’s right to self-determination.
Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but governs most of its internal affairs, holds significant deposits of rare earth minerals and occupies a strategically important position in the Arctic. While the United States maintains a military presence on the island, Greenland remains covered by NATO’s collective defence arrangements.
Despite Trump’s repeated claims, Danish and Greenlandic leaders have said there is no legal or political basis for any transfer of sovereignty, and that the island’s future can only be decided by its people.
