U.S. President Donald Trump has hit out at countries that have objected to his plans to seize Greenland whether by agreement or by force. What many believed at the outset was a joke, is now turning deadly serious. Countries opposed to Mr Trump's plans on taking over Greenland include long time allies, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. These countries, as well as Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands will be hit with new tariffs of 10 percent on all goods.

Unless they cave in, the tariffs will commence in two weeks, on 1 February; and after four months, on 1 June,  will be increased to 25 percent.

"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. Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!" the president posted on his social media platform Truth Social, on Saturday.

"China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently. Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!" Mr Trump's post said. "Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake."

The U.S. president's announcements over recent days, including a threat to take Greenland "the easy way, or the hard way," has emboldened the UK and European countries, in particular those in Scandinavia. In a symbolic show of force, the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands have dispatched a small number of troops to Greenland.

"On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown," Mr Trump's post on Saturday said.

"This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.," he said. "These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question."

The president went on to outline how Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, will be charged a 10 percent tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America on 1 February.

The tariffs he said will be increased to 25 percent on 1 June. "This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," Mr Trump posted. "The United States has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years. Many Presidents have tried, and for good reason, but Denmark has always refused. Now, because of The Golden Dome, and Modern Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important."

"Hundreds of Billions of Dollars are currently being spent on Security Programs having to do with "The Dome," including for the possible protection of Canada, and this very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it," President Trump's post said. "The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades."

In France, President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday, "Tariff threats are unacceptable in this context... We will not be swayed by any intimidation."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the U.S. administration."

In Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said, "We won't let ourselves be blackmailed."

European Council President Antonio Costa said, "The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law... which of course begins within the territory of the member states of the European Union."