The U.S. "Island-Seizing Tariffs" continue to unsettle the markets! In early trading on January 20th, Beijing time, U.S. stock index futures extended their losses. As of the time of writing, Nasdaq futures were down 1.37%, S&P 500 futures had fallen 1.11%, and Dow Jones futures declined by 0.94%. On the same day, Japanese and South Korean stock markets also opened lower and trended downwards. As of the latest update, the Nikkei 225 index had dropped over 1%, while South Korea's KOSPI index fell 0.72%. Overnight, European stock markets collectively plunged. At the close, Germany's DAX index dropped 1.34% to 24,959 points, France's CAC 40 index fell 1.78% to 8,112 points, and the UK's FTSE 100 index declined 0.39% to 10,195 points.
According to the latest news, on the 19th local time, U.S. President Trump refused to clarify in an interview whether he would use military force to seize Greenland, stating "no comment." On the same day, NORAD announced on social media that its aircraft would soon arrive at the U.S. Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. Separately, German Chancellor Merz stated on the 19th local time that the EU would impose tariffs on the U.S. if necessary.
U.S. military aircraft departed for Greenland as Denmark reinforced its troops. According to a report, on the 19th local time, NORAD indicated on social media that its aircraft would soon arrive at the U.S. Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. These aircraft, alongside air assets launched from bases in the continental U.S. and Canada, will support several long-planned NORAD operations, further solidifying long-standing defense cooperation among the U.S., Canada, and Denmark. This operation has been coordinated with Danish authorities, with all supporting units operating under necessary diplomatic clearances. The Greenland Self-Government has also been informed of the planned activities.
Furthermore, a Danish military source stated that starting the 19th, the number of Danish troops stationed in Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory, would be increased. On the evening of the 19th local time, an aircraft carrying dozens of Danish soldiers landed in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland's self-government. Additionally, approximately 58 soldiers from the Danish Army's 1st Brigade arrived the same day at Kangerlussuaq in Greenland. The Danish Ministry of Defence stated on the 14th that, given the spread of geopolitical tensions to the Arctic region, it and the Greenland Self-Government had decided to enhance the training activities of the Danish armed forces in Greenland. Previously, the commander of the Danish Joint Arctic Command, Søren Andersen, mentioned that about 100 Danish soldiers had arrived in Nuuk, Greenland, with a similar number arriving in Kangerlussuaq.
On January 19th local time, U.S. President Trump refused during an interview to specify whether he would use military force to seize Greenland, replying "no comment." During the interview, Trump also criticized some European leaders for opposing the U.S. acquisition of Greenland, stating that Europe should focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict rather than the Greenland issue. He explicitly stated that if no agreement is reached on Greenland, tariff measures against European countries would be implemented "100 percent." On the 17th, Trump announced on social media that a 10% tariff would be imposed on goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1st, declaring that the tariff rate would increase to 25% from June 1st until an agreement is reached on the U.S. "completely and thoroughly purchasing Greenland."
German Chancellor: EU will impose tariffs on the U.S. if necessary. On the 19th local time, German Chancellor Merz briefed the federal cabinet on consultations with the UK, France, and other countries regarding President Trump's proposed tariffs over the Greenland issue; specific details were not disclosed. Merz stated the situation is severe but he does not wish to escalate it further; when asked about tariffs, Merz said he hopes to avoid them, but if necessary, EU member states would take such measures. Merz also indicated that further discussions are planned with Trump on the 21st in Davos, Switzerland. It is reported that Germany has withdrawn its soldiers previously deployed to Greenland for military operations.
That same day, German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Klimmbell met with French Foreign Minister Roland Lescure in Berlin. Following the meeting, Klimmbell stated that Germany and France are united, adding, "We will not be blackmailed." Klimmbell said, "We are witnessing the confrontations constantly provoked by President Trump. As Europeans, we must be clear: a line has been reached." According to a report, on the 19th local time, UK Prime Minister Starmer held telephone talks with Italian Prime Minister Meloni and Canadian Prime Carney, primarily exchanging views on the Greenland issue. The UK Prime Minister reiterated that the future of Greenland should belong entirely to the Greenlandic people and the Kingdom of Denmark. He noted that advancing Arctic security construction aligns with the interests of all parties, and the UK is willing to fully participate in related cooperation with allies through NATO. The UK Prime Minister also emphasized that using tariffs to pressure allies to achieve collective security goals is a mistaken approach.
Greenland Self-Government Prime Minister speaks out. According to a news report, Greenland Self-Government Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated in a social media post on the 19th that the U.S. tariff threat would not alter Greenland's firm stance on defending its future right to self-determination, asserting, "We will not yield to pressure." Nielsen said: "The latest statements from the U.S., including the tariff threat, do not change our position. We will not yield to pressure. We stand for dialogue, respect, and international law." He added, "We feel the support from other countries and leaders. This is significant." Nielsen also thanked the recent solidarity demonstrations held in several cities in Denmark and Greenland, describing them as "impressive" and demonstrating "strong and dignified solidarity."
