2026-01-16 17:29
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2026-01-16 17:29
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he may introduce tariffs on goods from countries that oppose the acquisition of Greenland by the United States. He did not provide details.
Trump talked about the possibility of tariffs on Greenland, making a digression during a speech about the threat of tariffs against European countries that refuse to pay higher prices for American drugs.
– I can also do this about Greenland. I can impose tariffs on countries if they do not agree on Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security. So I can do it,” Trump said while announcing a $50 billion spending package for rural public health.
Trump did not elaborate on his statement, returning to the topic of drug prices.
Expert on Greenland: Trump wants to take over the island for the 250th anniversary of the United States
US President Donald Trump wants to take over Greenland because during the upcoming celebrations of the 250th anniversary of US independence, he wants to be presented as the leader who expanded the country's territory to include this island, said Carlo Masala, professor at the Bundeswehr University in Munich.
– It's not about safety. If it was about security, Americans would have every opportunity to ensure it, Masala said in a televised discussion on ZDF.
According to the author of the book entitled “If Russia wins” Trump wants to take over Greenland because during this year's celebration of the 250th anniversary of US independence, he wants to be presented as the president who expanded the territory of the United States to include the largest island in the world.
Masala interprets the ongoing European military reconnaissance mission in Greenland, in which German soldiers also participate, as an attempt to play for time. The Europeans hope that in this way they will be able to involve Trump in such long negotiations that he will finally lose interest in the matter. – This is the only option we have – says the expert.
The celebration of the 250th anniversary of US independence is planned as a nationwide event, culminating on July 4, 2026. On June 14, Flag Day, the UFC mixed martial arts gala will be held at the White House. This event will coincide with Trump's 80th birthday.
Trump regularly repeats that the US needs Greenland, citing national security as the reason. He does not rule out an armed takeover of this Arctic island. In a recent interview with the New York Times, he said the US may have to “choose” between Greenland and NATO.
Cessation of trade and boycott of the World Cup at the price of Greenland? Europe warns the US and draws a red line
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure warned his American counterpart Scott Bessent that any move to seize Greenland would amount to “crossing the border” and threaten Europe's economic relations with the US, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
Lescure told the FT that he conveyed this to Bessent, the US treasury (finance) minister, on Monday, underlining Europe's deep concern about President Donald Trump's claims against Greenland, which belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark.
– Greenland is a sovereign part of a sovereign country that is part of the European Union. This shouldn't be trifled with – said Lescure.
osk/ap/
