US President Donald Trump has threatened to place tariffs on nations that do not go along with his ambitions to annex Greenland.
Trump said at a White House meeting that he may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland, which is a self-governing territory controlled by Denmark.
He did not specify which countries might face new tariffs or what authority he would use to impose such taxes.
Denmark and Greenland oppose his plans, and many in the US have expressed skepticism about an acquisition. A bipartisan congressional delegation was visiting Greenland as Trump spoke.
The group included Republicans voicing concerns about the president's motives for acquiring Greenland for national security reasons and aimed to gather local insights into their views.
Trump has stated that Greenland is vital for US security and has indicated he would pursue ownership the easy way or the hard way—referring to purchasing or taking it by force.
Greenland is resource-rich and strategically located between North America and the Arctic, making it significant for monitoring missile attacks and regional vessels.
The US has over 100 military personnel at its Pituffik base, which has been operated by the US since World War Two, under agreements that allow troop presence in Greenland.
Nevertheless, Trump insists the US must own Greenland to defend it properly against potential threats from Russia or China.
Denmark has warned that military action could jeopardize NATO, the alliance where the US currently plays a crucial role.
European allies, including France and Germany, support Denmark and stress that Arctic security should be a joint NATO responsibility, with US involvement.
The visit from the US delegation follows failed talks in Washington where many of its members opposed Trump's plans. Greenlandic leaders expressed hope for receiving support from international allies.
While Trump’s plans face opposition, discussions on how to address the situation continue, leaving the future of Greenland uncertain.
