Trump threatens Denmark with economic retaliation on Greenland

US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose “very high” tariffs on Denmark if it resists his efforts to control Greenland, an autonomous Danish region.

When asked on Tuesday whether he ruled out using military or economic force to take control of the strategically important island, he said: “No, I can’t assure you about either of those things.”

“I can say this, we need them for economic security,” he said.

Trump’s statements came as his son, Donald Trump Jr., visited Greenland on the same day.

Before arriving in the capital, Nuuk, Trump Jr. said he was on a “personal one-day trip” to talk to people, and did not have any meetings planned with government officials.

When Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was asked about Trump Jr.’s visit to Greenland, she told Danish television that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders” and that only the locals can determine their future.

She agreed that “Greenland is not for sale,” but stressed that Denmark needed very close cooperation with the United States, a close NATO ally.

This is a developing story. More updates to follow.