Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Jan 17: US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on other countries to pressure them into allowing the United States to annex Greenland, renewing a controversial proposal that has drawn strong international opposition.

Trump, who has often referred to himself as the “tariff king,” reiterated his interest in controlling Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, claiming it is vital for access to critical minerals and Arctic shipping routes. His remarks have triggered backlash from leaders in Denmark and Greenland, several European nations and bipartisan members of the US Congress.

Speaking at a healthcare event at the White House on January 16, Trump cited his past use of tariffs to influence other countries, particularly on drug pricing. He said the threat of tariffs had forced developed nations to accept higher drug prices so that prices in the United States could be lowered.

“I may do that for Greenland too,” Trump said. “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland because we need Greenland for national security. I may do that.”

Trump did not specify the scale of the proposed tariffs or which countries would be targeted. However, tariffs imposed during his presidency had previously disrupted trade with China and pressured other countries to expand trade ties and encourage investments in US manufacturing.

The former president also referred to an ongoing legal challenge, with the US Supreme Court expected to rule on the legality of tariffs he imposed unilaterally, which generated hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue through import taxes. “I’m the tariff king and the tariff king has done a great job,” Trump said. “I hope we win the Supreme Court case because if we don’t, it’d be a shame for our country.”

Later, while speaking to reporters as he left the White House, Trump said discussions were underway with NATO regarding his interest in Greenland. Despite the United States and Denmark being NATO allies, he refused to rule out military intervention.

“NATO has been dealing with us on Greenland,” Trump said. “We need Greenland for national security very badly. If we don’t have it, we have a big hole in national security.”

Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen met US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on January 14 but acknowledged that the two sides remained far apart. “We didn’t manage to change the American position,” Rasmussen said. “It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland. We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of the kingdom.”

Officials from both countries are expected to continue talks in the coming weeks, though diplomatic sources indicated that the issue remains at an impasse.