Trump floats new tariffs in push to acquire Greenland

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a “Great, Historic Investment in Rural Health Roundtable” in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 16, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images

President Donald Trump said Friday he may impose tariffs on countries “if they don’t go along with Greenland.”

“We need Greenland for national security. So I may do that,” Trump said at the White House.

The comments show Trump considering applying tariffs, one of his favorite tools for leveraging his executive power over foreign countries, to his increasingly aggressive efforts to acquire Greenland for the United States.

The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for additional information on Trump’s remarks.

This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.

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