Trump threatens tariffs on nations opposing U.S. bid to buy Greenland

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries that refuse to support U.S. efforts to annex Greenland, citing national security interests.

In a statement, Trump asserted the United States "needs Greenland for national security," a move that has intensified diplomatic friction with global allies.

The threat comes amid reports that several European nations have deployed military forces to the strategic island. The size and specific objectives of those European troops remain unclear.

The White House has not yet identified which countries might face new tariffs or established a legal basis for the proposed annexation.

Greenland is rapidly evolving into a geopolitical flashpoint, drawing intense international scrutiny. Denmark, which holds sovereignty over the island, has not yet issued an official comment.

President Trump’s latest threat marks a significant escalation in the weaponization of economic policy to achieve geopolitical ends. While the use of tariffs as a lever for coercive diplomacy was a hallmark of his previous administration, deploying trade barriers to force international recognition of territorial annexations represents an unprecedented break from diplomatic norms.

This maneuver places U.S. allies, particularly within the NATO framework, in a nearly impossible position: they must choose between upholding the tenets of international law or mitigating the risk of severe economic retaliation. The symbolic deployment of European forces to Greenland highlights a newfound willingness to challenge Washington’s claims, signaling a potential rift in the Western alliance that could have long-term structural consequences.

For nations like Vietnam, the situation presents a high-stakes strategic dilemma. As an export-led economy, Vietnam is uniquely vulnerable to the volatility of global trade wars. However, the calculation for Hanoi is not merely economic. Supporting the U.S. position could fundamentally undermine the principles of territorial integrity and international law that serve as the bedrock of Vietnam’s own legal standing in the South China Sea.

Conversely, open opposition risks turning Vietnam into a target for punitive tariffs. Given these constraints, Hanoi is likely to navigate this friction through a policy of strategic hedging—maintaining a calculated silence or issuing neutral statements that emphasize the importance of the international rules-based order without directly confronting Washington.

The diplomatic and economic instability triggered by the Greenland crisis could have a profound ripple effect on the Vietnamese-American community. As a potential trade war with Europe threatens to stall the U.S. economy, a sharp decline in consumer spending would place a heavy burden on the small businesses that form the backbone of our community—from the nail salon industry to the local phở restaurants that anchor our Little Saigons. For many families, this volatility isn't just a global policy issue; it is a direct threat to household income, the consistency of remittances sent back home, and the long-term stability of those navigating complex immigration pathways, whether through F2B family sponsorships, H-1B employment tracks, or EB-5 investments.