Trump vows tariffs on European countries over Greenland
US President Donald Trump is threatening European nations with tariffs in a lengthy post on social media.
US President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on a number of European nations until a deal can be struck on annexing Greenland.
Trump vowed 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, starting February 1.
The tariffs on “any and all goods” to the US would rise to 25 per cent from June 1, he revealed in a lengthy post on Truth Social.
“This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland,” Trump wrote.
“We have subsidised Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration.
“Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!
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“China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it.
“They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently.
“Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!
“Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake.”
Trump accused the countries he is targeting of “playing a very dangerous game”.
European countries this week sent small numbers of military personnel to the island at Denmark’s request.
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“Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question,” stated Trump.
It comes as thousands of people took to the streets in protest in Greenland and Denmark, with placards declaring that Greenland is “not for sale”.
Demonstrations were held in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, and other cities and the capital of Greenland, Nuuk.
They coincided with a delegation US politicians visiting Copenhagen to meet the Danish and Greenlandic leaders on Friday to reassure them of congressional support.
Trump has said Greenland is vital to US security because of its strategic location and large supply of minerals and has not ruled out the use of force to take it.
Trump said on Friday he may impose tariffs on countries that did not support his plan, “because we need Greenland for national security”.
The delegation in Copenhagen included Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski while the rest were Democratic lawmakers.
Marking the occasion, the Greenlandic flag was being flown at the main staircase of the Danish parliament building, Christiansborg, in central Copenhagen.
-with AAP
