Trump vows to slap tariffs on eight European countries over Greenland

President Donald Trump promised on Saturday to implement a wave increase in tariffs for European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland, escalating the dispute over the future of Denmark’s vast Arctic island.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said additional 10% import tariffs would go into effect on February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Britain – all already subject to tariffs imposed by Trump.

Those tariffs will rise to 25 percent on June 1 and will continue until a deal is reached to buy Greenland from the U.S., Trump wrote.

The president has repeatedly said Greenland is vital to US security because of its strategic location and large mineral deposits, and has not ruled out using force to take it. European nations this week sent military personnel to the island at Denmark’s request.

Read more: Thousands join anti-Trump ‘Hands off Greenland’ protests in Denmark

“These countries, playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in the game that is not sustainable or sustainable,” Trump wrote.

“The United States of America is immediately open to negotiations with Denmark and/or any of these countries that have put so much at risk, despite everything we have done for them, including maximum protection, for so many decades,” he said.

Demonstrators in Denmark and Greenland today demonstrated against Trump’s demands and demanded that he be allowed to determine its future.

Prominent European Union countries backed Denmark, warning that a military seizure of a NATO territory could collapse Washington’s military alliance. Britain also gave its support.