Trump says in 'talks with Nato' on acquiring Greenland, reiterates his national security rhetoric

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the United States has been holding discussions with Nato regarding Greenland, reiterating that the Arctic territory is vital to US national security. “Nato has been dealing with us on Greenland. We need Greenland for national security very badly,” the American leader told reporters.

“If we don’t have it, we have a big hole in national security — especially when it comes to what we’re doing in terms of the Golden Dome and all of the other things,” he added.

However, Trump did not provide any details on the military or security initiatives he referenced, but said that Washington is actively engaging with the alliance on the issue. “We’re talking to Nato,” he added.

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Trump threatens tariffs on countries supporting Greenland

Earlier on Friday, the American president said that he was considering imposing high tariffs against countries that oppose US interests related to Greenland.

“I may do that for Greenland, too,” he said, referring to a past exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron, in which he cited the threat of a sweeping 25 per cent tariff to push for higher drug prices in France.

“I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security,” Trump told an event at the White House. Last week, Trump reiterated that the US must “acquire” Greenland to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence over the autonomous territory, which is part of Denmark.

It is pertinent to note that both Greenland and Denmark have rejected any proposal to sell the territory, reaffirming Danish sovereignty over the island. In light of this, senior Danish officials met US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the issue.

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Following the meeting, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said talks were “frank and constructive” but acknowledged that “fundamental disagreements” remain. Meanwhile, a group of bipartisan lawmakers reached Copenhagen on Friday to discuss the concerns the people of Denmark and Greenland have about the Trump administration’s acquisition threats.