TLDR
- Trump announced 10% tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, U.K., Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1, 2025
- Tariffs will increase to 25% by June 1 unless a deal is reached for U.S. purchase of Greenland
- Trump claims these countries moved into Greenland for “purposes unknown” and pose a threat to global security
- Bitcoin price remained stable around $95,200 following the tariff announcement
- Polymarket shows only 20% chance of U.S. acquiring Greenland by December 31, 2025
President Donald Trump declared new tariffs on eight European nations on Saturday in a Truth Social post. The tariffs target Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland.
🌍 Trump Unveils Europe Tariff Plan Tied to Greenland
President Trump says the U.S. will impose 10% tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland – rising to 25% unless a deal is reached for the U.S. to acquire Greenland.
He frames the… pic.twitter.com/YN0aVvva8g
— Trader Edge (@Pro_Trader_Edge) January 18, 2026
The 10% tariffs will begin on February 1, 2025. They apply to all goods sent from these countries to the United States.
Trump stated the tariffs will increase to 25% on June 1, 2025. The levies will remain in place until a deal is reached for the complete purchase of Greenland.
The announcement comes just before a Supreme Court ruling on tariff legality. The court will decide if Trump has authority to impose these tariffs under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The next 48 hours are critical:
With the EU's "emergency meeting" scheduled for tomorrow, we are now on step #4 of our tariff playbook
We expect the EU to take an aggressive, but open approach. They will threaten to cancel the EU-US trade deal, while encouraging President Trump… https://t.co/C0ekCuXWnl
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) January 18, 2026
Trump explained that these countries had moved into Greenland for “purposes unknown.” He claims their presence creates a “very dangerous situation for the safety, security, and survival” of the planet.
“Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation ends quickly, and without question,” Trump wrote. The president said the U.S. remains open to negotiation with Denmark and the other affected countries.
Reaction from Europe
Thousands of protesters rallied in Denmark and Greenland on Saturday against Trump’s plans. In Greenland’s capital city of Nuuk, demonstrators chanted “Kalaallit Nunaat,” the island’s name in Greenlandic, as they marched to the U.S. embassy.
Former NATO head and Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen criticized Trump’s approach. He said Trump was speaking like a “gangster” and using Greenland as a “weapon of mass distraction” from the war in Ukraine.
Bitcoin and Crypto Market Response
The Bitcoin price remained largely unchanged following the tariff announcement. The flagship crypto is currently trading around $95,200, down slightly in the last 24 hours.
Polymarket data shows crypto traders are betting against the U.S. acquiring Greenland before next year. There is currently a 20% chance the acquisition will occur by December 31, 2025, and only a 9% chance by March 31.
The odds climbed from around 17% to 20% following the tariff announcement. This suggests some traders believe the tariffs could pressure Denmark to sell.
Supreme Court Decision Pending
The Supreme Court has not yet issued its verdict on the implications and legality of Trump’s tariffs. The court heard arguments in early November 2024.
Both conservative and liberal justices asked skeptical questions about the method Trump used to impose his tariffs. Trump invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which was designed for national emergencies.
Companies like Costco have filed lawsuits against the U.S. government hoping to secure refunds on import duties. These cases depend on whether the court rejects Trump’s authority to impose tariffs.
Trump has expressed concern over the potential ruling. On Monday, he wrote on social media: “If the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza, WE’RE SCREWED!”
Trump claimed China and Russia want Greenland and Denmark cannot protect it. He wrote that Denmark “currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently.” Trump positioned the U.S. as the only country capable of protecting Greenland.
The tariffs will remain in effect until Denmark agrees to sell Greenland to the United States.
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