US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent amplified President Donald Trump’s message to European allies that the US

won’t back down on taking over Greenland

Mr Bessent all but dismissed European Union threats to halt a tariff deal reached between Mr Trump and the bloc in 2025, telling NBC News that the US president is using strategic leverage to get what he wants.

“First of all, the trade deal hasn’t been finalized, and an emergency action can be very different from another trade deal,” Mr Bessent said on Jan 18 in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press.

Mr Trump “leverages his emergency powers to do this,” he said. 

Mr Trump on Jan 17 announced a 10 per cent tariff on goods from eight European countries starting Feb 1, rising to 25 per cent in June, unless there’s a deal for a “purchase of Greenland.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, who called the tariff “unacceptable,” plans to request that the EU activate its most powerful retaliation tool.

Mr Bessent laid out an expansive rationale for Mr Trump’s bid for Greenland, citing global competition in the Arctic, Mr Trump’s plans for a “Golden Dome” missile shield and Europe’s previous reliance on Russian energy that he said was “funding Russia’s efforts against Ukraine.”

Asked whether Mr Trump’s stance toward Europe is a negotiating tactic, Mr Bessent signalled the president wouldn’t change his mind.

“Europeans project weakness, US projects strength,” he said. “The president believes enhanced security is not possible without Greenland being part of the US.”

With some...