President Donald Trump stated that he might implement tariffs on nations “if they don’t go along with Greenland.” “Greenland is essential for our national security. “So I may do that,” Trump stated at the White House during an event focused on health care. The remarks indicate that Trump, whose efforts to secure Greenland for the U.S. have intensified in recent months, is resorting to one of his preferred strategies for exerting influence over foreign countries. The Trump administration has previously indicated that it is considering various alternatives, including the potential deployment of the U.S. military, to assert control over the Danish territory.
Trump contends that it is crucial for America to possess Greenland, despite the existing U.S. military base on the island, due to national security threats from China and Russia. The White House has indicated that the U.S. is contemplating a proposal to acquire the Arctic island. Greenland and Denmark have consistently maintained that the territory is not for sale and express no desire to be incorporated into the United States. Trump’s proposal to potentially utilize tariffs as leverage regarding Greenland follows his articulation of a comparable approach aimed at compelling foreign nations to increase their drug prices.
Trump has advocated for reducing the cost of U.S. pharmaceuticals by requiring that domestic prices align with the lower prices paid in foreign markets. During the White House event on Friday, Trump stated that he had warned the leaders of several nations to either increase drug prices under a “most favored nations” agreement or confront substantial tariffs on all their imports to the U.S.I might consider that for Greenland as well. “I may impose a tariff on countries that do not comply with our stance on Greenland, as it is essential for our national security,” Trump stated. A delegation from Greenland and Denmark, following discussions with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Thursday, expressed a “fundamental disagreement” with Trump. Since retaking office, Trump has significantly increased the government’s application of tariffs, elevating the overall average tariff rate to an estimated 17%.
Numerous extensive measures were enacted through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, commonly referred to as IEEPA. The administration’s invocation of that law has faced numerous challenges, with various courts determining the actions to be unlawful. The matter has ascended to the Supreme Court, which is poised to issue a ruling regarding the legality of Trump’s IEEPA tariffs in the near future. Trump has asserted that his agenda would be jeopardized if the high court rules unfavorably against him. “I hope we win the Supreme Court case, because if we don’t, [it’d] be a shame for our country,” he stated on Friday.