Trump Reveals He Threatened Tariffs on Denmark Over Greenland Purchase
Former US President Donald Trump has disclosed he considered slapping tariffs on Denmark to pressure it into selling Greenland, warning the country could lose US protection from rivals like Russia and China.
Key Details
- Trump revealed the strategy in an interview with “Axios on HBO.”
- He argued Greenland’s strategic location and resources were vital for US interests.
- The 2019 proposal was publicly rejected by Denmark as “absurd,” leading to a canceled presidential visit.
The Tariff Threat and Security Leverage
Trump explained his approach to the proposed deal. He recounted telling Danish officials, “OK, but we protect you. We protect you from Russia. We protect you from China. We protect you from everybody.” He then suggested a consequence for their refusal: “Maybe we don’t protect you so much. Maybe you have to pay for your protection.”
The former president detailed his consideration of economic pressure, stating, “I would tariff the hell out of them. I would say, ‘OK, you want to do that? Let’s see what happens to your economy.'” He believed this would make Denmark more willing to discuss the sale.
“All of a sudden, I started hearing that China was trying to get in there. Russia was trying to get in there,”
Background and Fallout
Trump’s interest in purchasing the world’s largest island became public in 2019 via a . The idea was met with disbelief in Denmark, which governs Greenland. Then-Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed it as “absurd.”
Trump framed the bid as a preemptive move against foreign influence, citing concerns about Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic region. The proposal never advanced, and Trump’s planned state visit to Denmark was subsequently canceled.
