The UK and other European nations have strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on their countries if they continue to oppose a US takeover of Greenland. In a statement, Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the move as “completely wrong,” stating that the government will be pursuing the matter directly with the Trump administration.
Starmer emphasised that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future should be decided by the Greenlanders and the Danes. He also stressed that Arctic security is a matter of concern for the entire NATO alliance, and allies should work together to address the threat from Russia across the region.
The EU has called an emergency meeting of its 27 member states to coordinate a response to Trump’s announcement. French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a strong rebuke, declaring that “no intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland.” He added that tariff threats are “unacceptable” and that Europeans will respond in a “united and coordinated manner” if they are confirmed.
Officials from Norway, Sweden, France, and Germany have reiterated their support for Denmark and stated that tariffs should not be part of the discussions around Greenland. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson posted on social media that “we will not let ourselves be blackmailed” and that only Denmark and Greenland can decide matters concerning the territory.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Copenhagen to voice their opposition to Trump’s threats, holding banners that read “Greenland is not for sale” and “No means No.” Senior politicians from across the political spectrum in the UK, including Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, have also criticised the move, with Farage warning that the tariffs will “hurt us.”
The US president has long had his sights set on Greenland, first proposing US control over the territory in 2019, which was rejected by the Danish government. In his renewed push for control, Trump has claimed that “China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it.” However, the European nations have made it clear that they will not be bullied or intimidated by such threats.
