Trump launches trade war against NATO after European countries sent troops to Greenland amid his takeover plan

President Donald Trump escalated his campaign to gain control over Greenland after several European countries deployed troops to the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

In a social media post on Saturday, he said Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland will be hit with a 10% tariff starting on Feb. 1 that will rise to 25% on June 1, until a “Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”

The announcement came after those NATO allies sent troops to Greenland this past week, ostensibly for training purposes, at the request of Denmark.

European officials have said it was meant to show they’re serious about security in the Arctic as Trump claims China and Russia are threatening Greenland, and not to defend against a possible U.S. invasion. But Trump alluded to the troop deployment in his post Saturday.

“On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown,” he wrote. “This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are
playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.”

Trump has consistently refused to rule out using the U.S. military in his Greenland plans, while the administration has also left open the possibility of buying the...