US President Donald Trump has warned he may impose tariffs on countries that oppose his plan for the United States to take control of Greenland, arguing the Arctic island is critical to American national security due to its strategic location and mineral resources.

Speaking at a health roundtable at the White House, President Trump said economic pressure could be used against countries that do not support his Greenland proposal.

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

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has repeatedly reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland, a move firmly rejected by Denmark and several European nations.

Trump has argued that Greenland’s geographic position in the Arctic and its vast mineral reserves make it essential to US security interests.

He has also declined to rule out the use of force to take control of the territory, further escalating concerns among US allies and European governments.

US lawmakers seek to ease tensions

Amid rising rhetoric, a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers met Danish and Greenlandic leaders in Copenhagen on Friday in an effort to reduce tensions.

The 11-member delegation was led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons and met Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and members of both parliaments.

‘Lower the temperature’

Following the meetings, Senator Coons said the delegation aimed to reassure allies and calm the situation.

“There’s a lot of rhetoric, but there’s not a lot of reality in the current discussion in Washington,” Coons told reporters, adding that lawmakers would work to “lower the temperature” once back in the United States.

European nations have also responded to the escalating debate by sending small numbers of military personnel to Greenland at Denmark’s request.

Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, said he plans to visit the territory in March and remains optimistic about reaching an agreement.

“I do believe that there’s a deal that should and will be made once this plays out,” Landry told Fox News.