Lawmakers from both parties have pledged legislative action to block President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on European allies, including Nato members Denmark, the UK, Germany and France. The tariffs, announced over the weekend, would impose a 10% levy starting in February, rising to 25% by June unless a deal is reached for the US to purchase Greenland.
Democratic Senator Peter Welch introduced a resolution under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to terminate the tariffs. Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House foreign affairs committee, plans a similar measure. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer indicated Democrats would pursue legislation with binding authority. However, any bill faces a likely presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override—a high bar that demands significant Republican defections.
A small but notable group of Republican senators has voiced opposition. Retiring Senator Thom Tillis called the tariff threat “great for Putin, Xi and other adversaries who want to see Nato divided”. Senator Lisa Murkowski, who joined a bipartisan delegation to Denmark and Greenland over the weekend, described the tariffs as “a profound mistake”, urging that Greenland be viewed as an ally, not an asset. Murkowski hinted at broader unease among Republican colleagues, despite their absence from the delegation.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a US takeover would spell the end of Nato, while Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated: “We choose Denmark.” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expressed surprise at the tariff announcement, noting that increased Danish military presence in Greenland was undertaken transparently with US allies to enhance Arctic security. US House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking to British media, said he did not foresee military intervention in Greenland and believed diplomatic channels were the way forward.
Democrats will test Republican willingness to constrain Trump’s executive power in a Thursday House vote on a resolution limiting intervention in Venezuela. Senator Jeanne Shaheen warned that the Greenland gambit “undermines Nato at a time when our adversaries seek to benefit from division”. Meanwhile, in Greenland, a tourism company withdrew its invitation to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Trump’s Greenland envoy, to attend the annual dog sled race.
