Trump threatens countries over Greenland - and of course with tariffs

byRainer Hofmann

January 16, 2026

Donald Trump is introducing a new level of escalation. Countries that do not align themselves with the US demand for control over Greenland could be hit with punitive tariffs. He did not provide details. It is a matter of national security, he said, leaving open exactly whom he would target. For months, Trump has repeated that the United States must control Greenland. The territory is self governed, belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark, and has its own government. What is new is not the claim, but the method. For the first time, Trump is openly signaling that he is prepared to use economic pressure to break political resistance.

Trump says he could punish countries with tariffs if they do not support US control over Greenland.

The statement marks another peak. Until now, it had remained at demands, hints, and repeated references to strategic interests in the far north. Now the lever enters the picture that Trump knows from his trade policy: tariffs as punishment for a lack of compliance. Those who do not go along will pay. In Europe, this meets clear rejection. Denmark has again emphasized that Greenland is not negotiable. Other European governments have also lined up behind this position. The idea that the United States could simply take over the world’s largest island or force control over it is being rejected.

In the end, what remains is a Trump who conducts foreign policy like a deal. Those who agree get by, those who object are put under economic pressure. Alliances in this thinking become a question of pressure and quid pro quo, backed by the familiar reference to national security. The debate over Greenland has already been an expression of a claim to power that shows little regard for existing orders. With the announcement of possible punitive tariffs, this turns into an openly confrontational course. Not only toward Denmark, but toward anyone who refuses to accept this logic.

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Frank Schnabel
Frank Schnabel
1 month ago

Mir wird schlecht, wenn ich dies und andere Sachen von diesem alten, dementen Drecksack lese,,,warum machen das die anderen Staaten mit und schauen gespannt wie das Kaninchen auf die Schlange????

Caro
Caro
1 month ago

Wurde der Gerichtstermin im Zollverfahren des Supreme Court vertagt? Ich dachte, letzte Woche Freitag sollte da ein Urteil gefällt werden. Eine Entscheidung ist dringend. Ich habe nur eine klitzekleine Hoffnung. Der Supreme entscheidet ja zumeist zugunsten von Trump. Es wäre so schön, wenn er sein Militär nicht finanzieren könnte und er dieses fiese Druckmittel Zoll nicht mehr hätte.

Ela Gatto
Ela Gatto
1 month ago
Reply to  Rainer Hofmann

Ich dachte auch, dass das schon am 16.01. Verhandelt wurde und wunderte mich, dass es dazu gar keine Infos gibt.

Sicher kein gutes Zeichen ..

Carolina
Carolina
1 month ago

Europa ist so ein Angsthasen, dabei könnten wir Trump locker den Mittelfinger zeigen. Trump braucht uns mindestens genauso so wie wir ihn.

Ela Gatto
Ela Gatto
1 month ago

Zölle, Zölle, Zölle … wahrscheinlich träumt Trump nachts davon.

Da der Supreme Court sich bisher gar nicht zur Verhandlung am 16.01. Geäußert hat, sehe ich das als schlechtes Zeichen.

Denn dabei kamen dann Urteile raus, die intransparenter nicht sein könnten.

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