https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2026/0117/1553575-trump-greenland-protest/US President Donald Trump has escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25% until his purchase of the Danish territory is achieved.
From 1 February, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland would be subject to a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the United States, Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network.
"On 1 June 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland."These countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.
"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," said Mr Trump.
It was not immediately clear what authority the US leader would invoke to impose the threatened tariffs of up to 25%.
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen as well as several world leaders have warned against Mr Trump's threat.
It comes as several thousand people demonstrated in the capital of Greenland against Mr Trump's plans for the US to annex the Danish autonomous territory.
The protesters, including Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who was seen waving a Greenlandic flag, chanted slogans and traditional Inuit songs.
Many of them wore caps with the slogan "Make America Go Away" - a slight against Mr Trump's 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) brand.
Protesters march in Danish capital against plans
Thousands took to the streets of Denmark's capital earlier today to protest against Mr Trump's push to take over Greenland.
They also coincided with a visit to Copenhagen by a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress that has made clear the opposition of many Americans to the Trump administration's threats.
Waving the flags of Denmark and Greenland, the protesters formed a sea of red and white outside Copenhagen city hall, chanting "Kalaallit Nunaat!" - the vast Arctic island's name in Greenlandic.
Meanwhile, Greenland's Minister for Business and Energy Naaja Nathanielsen said people are "worried about the future".
Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday with Cormac Ó hEadhra, she said they have sent a "clear message" to the United States that they "do not want to be American".
"But I think from Greenland, we have been quite clear that there is a red line to all of this, and the red line goes with being an occupied country or occupied people. We do not want that," she added.
Ms Nathanielsen said she appreciates the "great show of solidarity" from a number of NATO countries and the European Union, adding that it was important for NATO to stress the importance and relevance of the alliance.
She also said it was "extremely important" for the EU to uphold international law.
Thousands of people had said on social media they would take part in marches and rallies organised by Greenlandic associations in Copenhagen, and in Aarhus, Aalborg, Odense and the Greenlandic capital Nuuk.
"The aim is to send a clear and unified message of respect for Greenland's democracy and fundamental human rights," Uagut, an association of Greenlanders in Denmark, said on its website.
The Copenhagen rally made a stop outside the US embassy in the Danish capital.
'Demand respect'
"Recent events have put Greenland and Greenlanders in both Greenland and Denmark under pressure," Uagut chairwoman Julie Rademacher said in a statement, calling for "unity".
"When tensions rise and people go into a state of alarm, we risk creating more problems than solutions for ourselves and for each other. We appeal to Greenlanders in both Greenland and Denmark to stand together," she said.
The demonstration in Greenland was "to show that we are taking action, that we stand together and that we support our politicians, diplomats and partners," Kristian Johansen, one of the organisers, said in a statement.
"We demand respect for our country's right to self-determination and for us as a people," added Avijaja Rosing-Olsen, another organiser.
"We demand respect for international law and international legal principles. This is not only our struggle, it is a struggle that concerns the entire world."
According to the latest poll published in January 2025, 85% of Greenlanders oppose the territory joining the United States. Only 6% were in favour.
'No security threat'
Speaking in Copenhagen, where the Congressional delegation met top Danish and Greenlandic politicians and business leaders, US Democratic Senator Chris Coons insisted there was no security threat to Greenland to justify the Trump administration's stance.
He was responding after Mr Trump's adviser Stephen Miller claimed on Fox News that Denmark was too small to defend its sovereign Arctic territory.
"There are no pressing security threats to Greenland, but we share real concern about Arctic security going forward, as the climate changes, as the sea ice retreats, as shipping routes change," Mr Coons told the press.
"There are legitimate reasons for us to explore ways to invest better in Arctic security broadly, both in the American Arctic and in our NATO partners and allies," said Mr Coons, who is leading the US delegation.
Mr Trump has repeatedly criticised Denmark - a NATO ally - for, in his view, not doing enough to ensure Greenland's security.
The US president has pursued that argument, despite strategically located Greenland - as part of Denmark - being covered by NATO's security umbrella.
European NATO members are deploying troops in Greenland for a military exercise designed to show the world, including the United States, that they will "defend (their) sovereignty", French armed forces minister Alice Rufo said this week.
Britain, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have announced they are sending small numbers of military personnel to prepare for future exercises in the Arctic.
The United States has been invited to participate in the exercise, Denmark said yesterday.
