BRUSSELS / WASHINGTON – January 18, 2026 – European Union ambassadors have convened an emergency session today in Brussels following President Trump's ultimatum: allow the United States to purchase Greenland or face a devastating trade war.
The threat, which includes a 10% tariff starting February 1st—scaling to 25% by June—targets eight key allies: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland.
The "Make America Go Away" Protests
In the streets of Nuuk and Copenhagen, thousands have gathered to protest the proposed sale. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined demonstrators yesterday, leading chants of "Make America Go Away," a direct play on the President's campaign slogan.
The Opposition: European leaders call the move a "dangerous downward spiral" for transatlantic relations.
The US Stance: The White House maintains that Denmark is "incapable" of defending the Arctic gateway and that U.S. national security requires "Total and Complete" control of the mineral-rich territory.
Developing Story: The Gaza "Board of Peace"
While the Arctic heats up, the administration is also moving forward with a new "Board of Peace" for Gaza.
The Members: High-profile figures including former UK PM Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga have been named to the executive committee.
The Controversy: Notably absent from the board are any Israeli or Palestinian government officials, leading to a formal objection from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office earlier this morning.
Military Action: Operation Hawkeye Strike
Domestically, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed a third round of retaliatory airstrikes in Syria. The strike killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an Al-Qaeda-linked leader reportedly responsible for the December ambush that killed three Americans in Palmyra.
