Treasury secretary defends Greenland tariffs: 'The national emergency is avoiding the national emergency' [View all]
Source: NBC News
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:58 AM EST / Updated Jan. 18, 2026, 10:52 AM EST
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended proposed tariffs targeting eight European countries that oppose President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, telling NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that the goal is to avoid a future national emergency.
Throughout his second term, Trump has moved to impose sweeping tariffs on countries around the world by citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, which allows a president to regulate imports during emergencies.
Asked by moderator Kristen Welker what national emergency justifies tariffs against countries that oppose Trump’s Greenland ambitions, Bessent argued that “the national emergency is avoiding a national emergency.” “It is a strategic decision by the president,” he said. “This is a geopolitical decision, and he is able to use the economic might of the U.S. to avoid a hot war.”
Trump said Saturday that he would hit imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland with a 10% tariff that he said would increase to 25% on June 1 if a deal isn’t reached to purchase the territory. His comments came as the Supreme Court was expected to issue a ruling on Trump’s use of IEEPA to impose tariffs.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/treasury-secretary-bessent-tariffs-national-emergency-greenland-eu-rcna254650
The bought and paid-for 6 need to smack this down quick, fast, and in a hurry. ENOUGH.
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