President-elect Donald Trump has now threatened to “tariff Denmark at a very high level” as retaliation for the country not surrendering the autonomous territory of Greenland to become part of the United States — a measure that could have profound consequences on a surprising range of goods Americans buy, reported The New York Times on Wednesday.
“Denmark, which has a smaller population than New York City, is not a huge trading partner for the United States,” reported Ana Swanson and Jenny Gross. “The country — a U.S. ally and a NATO member — sent the United States more than $11 billion worth of goods in 2023, just a tiny slice of more than $3 trillion of imports” — as opposed to the U.S. sending $5 billion in goods that include industrial and scientific equipment, aircraft, and computers.
However, “despite its small size, Denmark, which handles Greenland’s foreign and security affairs, is home to some products that are very well-loved in America, goods that could become more expensive if Mr. Trump follows through with heavy tariffs,” the report said.
One of those products is LEGO, the brick-assembly toy beloved by generations of both children and adult collectors, which has its origins in Denmark (the name LEGO itself comes from a Danish phrase meaning “play well.”)
Additionally, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk produces Ozempic and Wegovy, two wildly successful weight-loss medications that have exploded in use in the United States.
“Denmark is also the leading supplier to the United States of hearing aids,” continued the report. “Beyond medicines, Denmark also sends the United States medical instruments, fish fillets, pig meat, coal tar oil, petroleum and baked goods, among other products, according to the OEC.”
Trump’s fixation on acquiring Greenland dates back to the first term of his presidency. More broadly, proposals for the United States to purchase the island, which is rich in natural resources and a strategically important military location, have been floating around since the 1800s.
Denmark has said in no uncertain terms it is not interested in selling Greenland; that being said, treaties between Denmark and the U.S., as well as their shared membership in NATO, broadly give America the military access it needs to the island anyway.
