US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he could impose new tariffs on countries that do not support his effort to gain control of Greenland. He said the issue is directly tied to US national security.

“I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security. So I may do that,” CNN quoted Trump as saying at a White House health care event.

Trump pointed to his earlier use of tariffs as a pressure tool. He said he had previously used trade measures to push other countries to cooperate with the United States on lowering drug prices.

European concern over US push

Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland has alarmed several European nations. Many fear that such moves could damage long-standing ties between the United States and Europe.

Greenland is the world’s largest island. It lies between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans and operates as a self-governing territory under Denmark.

Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States needs control of the largely ice-covered island to protect its strategic interests. He has cited growing influence from Russia and China in the Arctic region. He has also refused to rule out military action to achieve this goal.

Denmark, which is a member of the US-led NATO alliance, has received strong backing from European partners who are uneasy about Trump’s statements.

European troops boost Arctic security

In response to rising tensions, Danish troops arrived in Greenland on Thursday. They were joined by forces from France, Germany, and the Netherlands as part of joint security efforts.

“At the request of Denmark, I have decided that France will participate in the joint exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland, Operation Arctic Endurance,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a social media post on Wednesday.

Despite this, the White House played down the impact of European military involvement. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the presence of European forces “doesn’t impact Trump’s goal of the acquisition of Greenland at all.”

Earlier this month, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK, and Greenland issued a joint statement. The statement said “Greenland belongs to its people” and also reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to maintaining security in the Arctic.

US lawmakers seek to ease tensions

At the same time, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers traveled to Denmark to calm the situation. On Friday, they met leaders from Denmark and Greenland in Copenhagen to reassure them of support from the US Congress.

The 11-member delegation was led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons. The group met Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen, along with other Danish and Greenlandic lawmakers.

“There’s a lot of rhetoric, but there’s not a lot of reality in the current discussion in Washington,” Coons told reporters after the meetings. He said the delegation hoped to “lower the temperature” once they returned home.

Trump envoy signals possible deal

Earlier on Friday, Trump’s special envoy to Greenland said he plans to visit the territory in March. He also expressed confidence that an agreement could eventually be reached.

“I do believe that there’s a deal that should and will be made once this plays out,” Jeff Landry told Fox News in an interview.

“The president is serious. I think he’s laid the markers down. He’s told Denmark what he’s looking for.”