U.S. Congressional Delegation Addresses Greenland Ownership Controversy Amid Tariff Threats

Sat Jan 17 2026 15:53:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a bid to reassure Denmark and Greenland, a bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation led by Senator Chris Coons urges diplomatic dialogue amidst President Trump's threats to impose tariffs on nations opposing U.S. claims to Greenland.

A bipartisan delegation from the U.S. Congress, led by Senator Chris Coons, visited Denmark and Greenland to address concerns over President Trump's recent threats regarding Greenland's ownership and potential tariffs on opposing countries. Coons emphasized the importance of trust in the U.S. as a NATO ally while contrasting the diplomatic approach with Trump's aggressive rhetoric. Despite claiming there are no current threats to Greenland, tensions persist due to differing views between the U.S. and European leaders.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation on Saturday sought to reassure Denmark and Greenland of their support following President Donald Trump’s threat to punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the U.S. taking over the strategic Arctic island.

Delegation leader Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, expressed the delegation's intent to alleviate the growing concerns across the Danish kingdom regarding the current rhetoric surrounding Greenland. He emphasized the need to de-escalate the situation.

“I hope that the people of the Kingdom of Denmark do not abandon their faith in the American people,” Coons stated during a news conference in Copenhagen. He affirmed U.S. respect for Denmark and NATO, acknowledging the collaborative efforts between nations.

The remarks by Coons come ahead of rallies slated for Copenhagen and Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, aimed at demonstrating support for the self-governing island.

These diplomatic sentiments starkly contrast with Trump's rhetoric. The President has repeatedly argued for a U.S. acquisition of Greenland, citing interests from China and Russia in the territory, which holds significant reserves of critical minerals. The White House has not dismissed the notion of a forceful takeover.

“There are no current security threats to Greenland,” Coons reassured during the conference.

Over the past few months, Trump has maintained that U.S. control over Greenland is essential, labeling any alternative as “unacceptable.”

He also mentioned, during a separate event at the White House addressing rural health care, that he might consider imposing tariffs similar to those on pharmaceutical imports to incentivize cooperation on Greenland's status.

The ongoing tensions were evident this week as Denmark’s foreign ministers met with U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This meeting, however, failed to resolve the significant differences that exist regarding Greenland, although it resulted in plans for a working group, which has since led to divergent public opinions from both Denmark and the U.S.

European leaders have affirmed that matters concerning Greenland should primarily involve Denmark and Greenland, with the latter increasing its military presence in response to the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Coons reiterated the critical nature of U.S.-Denmark relations, stating, “There is almost no better ally to the United States than Denmark.” He warned that damaging trust could have broader implications for U.S. alliances worldwide.