King Frederik has stood firmly by the side of Greenland, part of his realm, and he’s now seen his whole country hit with tariffs as a result.
As US President, Donald Trump, continues his push to take over Greenland, he’s announced 10% tariffs on all countries which oppose that move.
Denmark is obviously top of the list and the tariffs will come in on February 1 2026.
Also threatened with the 10% hit are the UK as well as Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, France and Germany.
Writing on Truth Social, President Trump said the tariffs were being brought in because of opposition from those nations for the US taking over Greenland which is an autonomous region of Denmark.
It means that all goods sent to the US from February 1 would be hit by a 10% tariff. And Donald Trump has said that’s going up to 25% on June 1 if opposition remains.
King Frederik has been a vocal supporter of Greenland and even increased the prominence given to its symbols on his royal crest following his accession in January 2024. He and Queen Mary also gave two of their children Greenlandic middle names.
On January 1 2026, Queen Margrethe signalled her own support for the country by choosing to wear a striking golden tiara made for her by the people of Greenland to the New Year’s levee, one of the biggest royal events of the calendar.
And King Frederik spoke warmly of Greenland in his New Year’s address on December 31 2025.
However, in recent days, Donald Trump has increased his pressure for the US to take over Greenland, a theme he began during his first term in office. Then, he asked to buy Greenland from Denmark and when that offer was refused, a planned State Visit was cancelled. It would have been hosted by Queen Margrethe who still reigned at the time, abdicating in favour of King Frederik X in January 2024.
On January 16 2026, protests took place in Greenland and in Copenhagen against US plans to take over the country. Danish authorities also raised the flag of Greenland outside the parliament in Copenhagen.
Earlier this week, countries including the UK, Sweden, France and Germany said they would send a small number of military to Greenland to help Denmark prepare military exercises in the Arctic. Denmark also wants a bigger and more permanent presence from NATO on the island.
Donald Trump argues that Greenland is vital for security in the north Atlantic and says that only the US can provide that. He says it would stop it being influenced by Russia and China.
Greenland is also home to reserves of rare earth minerals.
