US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered a blunt message to European allies on Sunday: the United States has no intention of backing away from its
push to acquire Greenland, and Europe simply isn’t strong enough to protect the Arctic territory on its own. In an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press aired January 18, 2026, Bessent strongly backed President Donald Trump’s aggressive approach, framing it as a necessary step for American "security" in a changing world. The latest escalation came after President Trump announced on January 17 that the US would impose a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from eight European countries beginning February 1. That rate would jump to 25 percent starting in June, unless those nations agree to what Trump calls a “purchase of Greenland.”
Bessent brushed aside European warnings that they might scrap a trade agreement reached with the Trump administration last year. He pointed out that the 2025 deal still isn’t fully locked in and suggested the president could use emergency powers to shift course quickly. “The trade deal hasn’t been finalized,” Bessent explained, “and an emergency action can look very different from another trade deal.” He added that Trump is deliberately applying strategic pressure to achieve his goals.
Why Does the Trump Administration Want Greenland?
Bessent offered a broad explanation for why the administration is so focused on Greenland. He highlighted growing competition among major powers in the Arctic region, President Trump’s ambition to build a massive “Golden Dome” missile defense system, and what he described as Europe’s past dependence on Russian energy, a relationship he said helped finance Moscow’s war against Ukraine.When asked if the tough talk about Greenland is just a bargaining chip, Bessent gave a clear no. He described the current divide in stark terms: “Europeans project weakness, US projects strength.” In his view, stronger security for the West depends on Greenland coming under American control.
Warnings of NATO’s Future Dismissed
Some European leaders have warned that any American attempt to take Greenland by force or heavy coercion could effectively end the 75-year-old NATO alliance. Bessent rejected that idea outright, calling it a “false choice.” He predicted that European governments would eventually accept the reality: they rely on the United States for protection and will adjust their position accordingly.Read more: 'Denmark Is a Tiny Country With Tiny Military': Stephen Miller Says US Must Own Greenland As Danes Can't Defend It
“The European leaders will come around,” Bessent told NBC, “and they will understand that they need to be under the US security umbrella.” French President Emmanuel Macron has already labeled the proposed tariffs “unacceptable”.
