Former US national security adviser John Bolton has issued a stark warning over Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats against countries supporting Greenland, describing them as “without doubt” the most dangerous and destructive statements of Trump’s presidency, with the potential to trigger political backlash at home and serious damage to NATO unity.
A sharp intervention from a former ally
Writing in the British newspaper The Telegraph, John Bolton argues that Trump’s rhetoric marks a significant escalation in his confrontational approach to allies. Bolton, who served as national security adviser during Trump’s first term, has often been critical of his former boss, but says the Greenland episode crosses a new threshold in terms of risk and recklessness.
Tariffs tied to security policy
At the centre of the controversy are Trump’s renewed threats to impose tariffs on countries that support Greenland politically or militarily. Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Danish realm, has become increasingly important in Arctic security discussions due to its strategic location and resource potential. Trump has framed European involvement as a challenge to US interests, signalling that trade measures could be used as leverage.
Bolton argues that this approach dangerously conflates trade policy with alliance security. He stresses that tariffs aimed at NATO partners over defence issues would undermine the foundations of transatlantic cooperation and weaken collective deterrence at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.
Diplomacy, not coercion
According to Bolton, Trump’s stated concerns about Greenland’s security are not unfounded, but they are being pursued in a fundamentally flawed way. He writes that all legitimate security issues surrounding Greenland can be addressed through negotiations with NATO allies and bilateral diplomacy. “It requires neither American sovereignty over Greenland nor military or economic coercion,” Bolton states, rejecting any suggestion that pressure tactics are necessary.
This argument directly challenges Trump’s long-standing preference for using economic tools as instruments of foreign policy, a strategy Bolton believes is ill-suited to alliance management and long-term stability.
Risk of domestic political backlash
Beyond international consequences, Bolton warns of serious political risks at home. He assesses that Trump could face a “substantial Republican revolt” if he follows through on tariff threats against fellow NATO members. Many Republican lawmakers remain strong supporters of the Atlantic alliance and free trade with Europe, and may be unwilling to endorse measures that harm US exporters and strain strategic partnerships.
Such a backlash, Bolton suggests, could complicate Trump’s legislative agenda and weaken party unity at a critical moment.
Broader implications for NATO and global markets
The episode has also reignited concerns among allies about the reliability of US leadership within NATO. European officials fear that using tariffs as a punitive response to security cooperation sets a precedent that could destabilise alliance decision-making. Financial markets have taken note, with analysts warning that escalating trade threats tied to geopolitical disputes increase uncertainty and risk premiums.
A defining moment
Bolton concludes that Trump’s Greenland tariff threats represent a pivotal test of his presidency’s direction. Whether they remain rhetorical or translate into policy will shape not only relations with Europe, but also perceptions of how the United States balances power, diplomacy and alliance commitments in an increasingly fragile global order.
Newshub Editorial in North America – 18 January 2026
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