Trump slaps tariffs on 8 European nations as US looks to control Greenland

US President Donald Trump has announced a 10 per cent trade tariff on eight European countries: the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway. The duty will be raised to 25 per cent with effect from June 1, the US president wrote on social networking portal Truth Social.

The tariff will remain in effect until the US reaches a deal to buy Greenland, wrote Trump.

The development comes amid Trump's plans to buy Greenland -- an autonomous Danish territory. The 47th American president has repeatedly his position that Greenland is vital to American security because of its strategic location and large mineral deposits. Trump has previously said that Washington would get the territory "the easy way" or "the hard way", suggesting that it is open to buying the island or taking it by force.

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World peace is at stake: Donald Trump

"We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration. Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently," wrote Trump.

Trump also wrote that only under his rule can the US "play in this game, and very successfully, at that!"

"Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake. On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown. This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question," he added.

The US, wrote Trump, has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years. "Many Presidents have tried, and for good reason, but Denmark has always refused. Now, because of The Golden Dome, and Modern Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars are currently being spent on Security Programs having to do with 'The Dome', including for the possible protection of Canada, and this very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it," he wrote.

The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these countries that have put so much at risk "despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades", he added.

Protests in Denmark and Greenland against Trump's plan

Meanwhile, thousands of people reportedly staged protests in Denmark and Greenland on Saturday against Trump’s demands. Prominent EU countries have backed Denmark, warning that the US military seizure of a territory in NATO could collapse the military alliance that Washington leads.

Located between North America and the Arctic, the sparsely populated island is rich in resources and well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks and for monitoring vessels in the region.