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On Sunday night, January 18, 2026, President Trump escalated the diplomatic standoff over Greenland with a series of late-night Truth Social posts and direct messages to European leaders. He characterized Denmark as "unable" to protect the Arctic and issued a definitive ultimatum regarding U.S. ownership of the territory.


The "Russian Threat" and the "It Will Be Done" Post
In his primary post, Trump took direct aim at Denmark's stewardship of Greenland, framing the island’s current status as a glaring security loophole for the West.

The Accusation: Trump claimed that NATO has been telling Denmark for 20 years to remove the "Russian threat" from Greenland to no avail.

The Declaration: He wrote, “Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!” * The Focus: He reiterated that anything less than "Complete and Total Control" of Greenland by the United States is unacceptable and poses a risk to "World Peace."

The Nobel Peace Prize "Snub"
In a surreal development that came to light shortly after the posts, leaked messages revealed that Trump has linked his aggressive pursuit of Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize last year.

The Text to Norway: In a message sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump expressed frustration over the prize, stating, “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace.”

National Interest: He argued that he is now free to think about what is "good and proper" for the U.S., which he defines as the immediate acquisition of Greenland.

The February 1st Tariff Ultimatum
The rhetoric was backed by a concrete economic threat. Trump announced a tiered tariff plan targeting eight European nations that have supported Denmark's refusal to sell:


Phase 1 (February 1, 2026): A 10% tariff will be imposed on all exports to the U.S. from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland.

Phase 2 (June 1, 2026): The tariff will increase to 25%.

The Goal: Trump stated these tariffs would remain in place until a deal is reached for the "Complete and Total purchase of Greenland."

The "Golden Dome" and Arctic Strategy
The administration continues to frame this "annexation" as a scientific and military necessity rather than a mere real-estate deal:

The Golden Dome: Trump again cited the "Golden Dome"—his proposed space-based missile defense system—as being dependent on Greenland's strategic geography.

Resources: He described the island as "resource-rich" and vital for controlling new shipping lanes opening due to melting Arctic ice, warning that if the U.S. does not act, China or Russia will.

International Response
The late-night posts have sent European capitals into a state of "emergency mode":

The "Trade Bazooka": French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly called for the EU to use its "trade bazooka" (retalia

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Transcript
00:00President Donald Trump reignited controversy late Saturday night with a
00:04lengthy post on his social media platform, renewing his demand that the
00:07United States take control of Greenland and framing the issue as vital to
00:11national and global security. In the post, Trump repeated his long-held
00:16position that the US must secure the Arctic island before rival powers such
00:19as Russia or China do, and he framed opposition from European governments as
00:24a threat to peace. Trump's message included a claim that NATO allies had
00:27urged Denmark for years to reduce Russian influence on the Danish
00:31territory, and he insisted that it will be done, signaling his intention to
00:35pursue Greenland acquisition aggressively. The post followed a previous message in
00:40which Trump threatened to impose tariffs on several European nations unless they
00:43agreed to US terms regarding Greenland. Under that plan, a 10% tariff on goods
00:48would take effect on February 1st, increasing to 25% on June 1st if a deal
00:53to transfer control of the island had not been reached. European governments
00:56swiftly pushed back. Leaders from allied countries issued statements expressing
01:00solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, asserting that the territory's
01:04sovereignty should be respected and warning that threats of tariffs could harm
01:07international partnerships. Officials also described the situation as a
01:11potential risk to stability within the transatlantic alliance. In response to
01:15Trump's rhetoric, the Prime Minister of Denmark and Greenland reiterated that the
01:19island is not for sale and that its future decisions rest with its own people and
01:23existing alliances. The Danish government emphasized its commitment to NATO and the
01:28principles of territorial integrity. The controversy has drawn attention around
01:32the world, with experts noting that aggressive tactics could have implications for
01:37diplomatic and economic relations between the United States and its European
01:40partners. As international dialogue continues, Trump's posts have become a focal
01:45point in the ongoing debate over US foreign policy in the Arctic region. Share your thoughts in the comments.
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