US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 16, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on countries that oppose the United States` takeover of Greenland.

Speaking on Friday, during a White House roundtable on rural health care, Trump said tariffs could be imposed on countries that "don`t go along with Greenland," citing national security needs.

"I may put a tariff on countries if they don`t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security," he stated, drawing parallels to his earlier threats of tariffs on European pharmaceutical imports.

Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly insisted that the US "badly needs" Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, for strategic reasons, including access to its vast mineral resources.

He has not ruled out the use of military force if necessary.

Trump`s special envoy to Greenland, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, expressed optimism about reaching a deal.

"I do believe that there`s a deal that should and will be made once this plays out," Landry told Fox News on Friday ahead of a scheduled visit by a group of lawmakers to Europe to meet with leaders of Greenland and Denmark.

He added that President Trump is "serious" about the issue, having laid out his demands to Denmark, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance would help negotiate. Landry also said Trump plans to visit Greenland in March.

Despite these efforts, the demand has faced strong resistance in Europe, particularly from Denmark, which holds sovereignty over the territory.

Denmark`s Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen ruled out any US acquisition, telling public broadcaster DR: "This is out of the question. It`s not what we want in Denmark, nor in Greenland, and it runs counter to all international rules. It infringes on sovereignty."

Rasmussen was responding to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who stated earlier that the deployment of troops from several European countries in Greenland would not alter Trump`s "goal of the acquisition of Greenland."

Greenland`s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasized that "dialogue and diplomacy are the right way forward."

Meanwhile, Denmark has increased its military presence in Greenland, with two Danish military planes transferring additional troops on Wednesday.

As part of Denmark`s "Operation Arctic Endurance" exercise, which was organized with NATO allies, the UK, France, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden have announced or begun deploying small numbers of military personnel for reconnaissance and joint activities.

"A first team of French service members is already on site and will be reinforced in the coming days with land, air, and maritime assets," French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Germany`s defense ministry stated that the aim was to "explore the framework conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region."