So, you’re looking for the exact moment the notification pings on your phone today. Honestly, the "when" of it all is kinda chaotic right now because Donald Trump already dropped the big hammer late yesterday. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the President used Truth Social to flip the global trade table, and we are currently living in the "Day After" fallout.
If you’re waiting for a formal podium speech today, Sunday, January 18, you might be waiting a while. The administration has moved into a phase of social media "clarifications" and letting the markets stew before they reopen tomorrow. Basically, the announcement happened, and now we’re just watching the fire spread across the Atlantic.
When will Trump announce tariffs today and what was actually said?
Yesterday’s announcement wasn't just another vague threat about trade deficits. It was specifically tied to Greenland. Trump is frustrated that European allies have sent military contingents to the Arctic island to back Denmark’s refusal to sell the territory. In response, he laid out a very specific, tiered timeline that kicks off in just a couple of weeks.
✨ Don't miss: Pay Per Click Advertising: Why Most People Are Still Burning Money
Here is the schedule he’s already committed to:
- February 1, 2026: A 10% tariff goes live on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland.
- June 1, 2026: That rate jumps to 25% if a deal for the "Complete and Total purchase of Greenland" hasn't been signed.
It’s a wild move. Most of these countries are NATO allies. You’ve got the UK, which thought it had a "special relationship" protected by a trade deal signed at Turnberry last July, now facing the same 10% wall as everyone else. The President's rationale? He says we’ve been "subsidizing" these countries for centuries. Now, he wants Greenland as part of the "Golden Dome" missile defense system, and he’s using the U.S. consumer market as his primary leverage.
Why the timing matters for your wallet
If you’re wondering why this matters today, it’s because of the "pre-tariff" rush. Whenever these dates are set, importers scramble. You might see prices jump on everything from German cars to French wine way before February 1. Companies aren't going to eat that 10% cost; they're going to pass it to you.
The uncertainty is arguably worse than the tariff itself. Right now, the EU is holding emergency meetings. Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa have already called this a "dangerous downward spiral." There’s talk of the EU "bazooka"—the Anti-Coercion Instrument—which could mean retaliatory taxes on U.S. tech or bourbon by the end of the week.
✨ Don't miss: Amazon Haul Explained: What Most People Get Wrong About the New Store
The Greenland obsession explained
It sounds like a movie plot, but it's very real 2026 policy. After the U.S. raid that captured Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela earlier this month, the administration seems laser-focused on what it calls "hemispheric security." Trump claims China and Russia are eyeing Greenland and that Denmark’s "two dogsleds" (his words, not mine) aren't enough to protect it.
Denmark, obviously, is furious. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called the idea of a sale "absurd," but that hasn't stopped the Truth Social posts. The real question for investors today is whether the U.S. Supreme Court will step in. They’re currently reviewing the legality of using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for these kinds of trade wars. A decision could land as early as next week, which might be the only thing that actually halts the February 1 start date.
✨ Don't miss: 525 N Mission Rd Los Angeles: The Real Story Behind the Arts District’s Most Controversial Hub
What to do while you wait for the next update
If you’re a business owner or just someone worried about the price of a new Volvo, "wait and see" is a bad strategy.
- Audit your supply chain immediately. If your goods come from any of the eight "Greenland Support" nations, you have a two-week window before the 10% hits.
- Watch the Supreme Court docket. The case United States v. Trade Discretion is the one to track. If the court rules that the President exceeded his authority under IEEPA, these tariffs could vanish overnight.
- Monitor the EU "Bazooka" response. If the EU retaliates by Thursday, expect a massive swing in the Euro/USD exchange rate.
The reality is that "today" is about the silence before the market opens on Monday. We know the rates, we know the countries, and we know the goal. Now, we just wait to see who blinks first: the White House or the European Union.