Camilla Jessen
Pence expresses concerns over Trump’s Greenland strategy.
Donald Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence has weighed in on President Trump’s controversial strategy to acquire Greenland.
In an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Pence expressed unease about the use of tariffs on Denmark and other NATO allies to push the acquisition forward, a move Trump announced last week.
Pence’s reservations
Pence acknowledged that the US has a legitimate interest in Greenland due to its strategic location and natural resources. But he questioned the constitutionality of imposing tariffs on NATO allies to achieve the goal.
“It’s a question right now, Jake, not of what the president’s trying to accomplish, but how?” Pence said. “I have concerns about using what I think is a questionable constitutional authority, imposing unilateral tariffs on NATO allies to achieve this objective.”
He also noted his previous concerns about the suggestion of military action to take Greenland, which Trump has since dropped from public discussion.
Trump’s tariff announcement
On Saturday, President Trump announced his plan to impose a 10 percent tariff on Denmark and its European allies starting next month. The tariffs, Trump said, would remain in place until a deal for the “complete and total purchase of Greenland” was reached.
“We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Now, after centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!”
Trump’s ongoing interest in Greenland has fueled controversy, especially with his recent escalation of threats aimed at the Danish territory.
Political pushback
Pence’s comments follow mounting criticism from members of Congress, particularly Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who called Trump’s proposed tariffs “foolhardy.”
“Donald Trump’s foolhardy tariffs have already driven up prices and damaged our economy,” Schumer said in a statement. “Now he is only making things worse by imposing tariffs on our closest allies for his quixotic quest to takeover Greenland.”
As of now, the White House has not issued a formal response to the criticism.
Sources: CNN, The Hill
