• Trump may impose tariffs on countries that don’t support US control of Greenland.
• His proposal stems from national security concerns regarding potential foreign influence in Greenland.
• Denmark and Greenland remain opposed to the US acquisition efforts.
• Bipartisan Congressional delegation seeks to lower tensions with Denmark and Greenland.
• Trump claims Russia and China may take over Greenland if the US does not act.

President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that he might impose tariffs on countries that do not back the United States' plans to acquire Greenland, stating, "I may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security," during a rural healthcare roundtable at the White House, according to Al Jazeera and AA.

Trump's comments come amid a push to purchase Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. He articulated his stance by saying, "If we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland," further asserting that he did not want either country as a neighbor, as reported by India Times and ABC News.

Earlier this week, a high-level meeting took place between U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the foreign ministers from Denmark and Greenland. The meeting did not alleviate existing tensions; both sides expressed a "fundamental disagreement" regarding U.S. intentions, according to South China Morning Post and CBS News.

Moreover, European leaders, including French President Macron, have voiced their objections to Trump's takeover ambitions, underscoring that decisions regarding Greenland should rest solely with Denmark and Greenland. Macron stated that a contingent of French troops participated in military exercises there, reinforcing NATO's presence, as emphasized by Los Angeles Times and India Times.

The growing tension has prompted a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers to visit Copenhagen to reaffirm support for Denmark and Greenland, where they witnessed strong opposition to Trump's acquisition threats. The relationship dynamics were contradicted by Trump's claims that China and Russia pose a threat to Greenland, highlighting the administration's critical view on foreign influence in the Arctic region, according to ABC News, South China Morning Post, and Los Angeles Times.