Prime Minister Keir Starmer has firmly rejected Donald Trump’s demand that the UK and other NATO allies cede control of Greenland to the United States. The former US president has threatened to impose crippling tariffs on European countries unless they agree to sell the Danish territory to Washington.
In a series of phone calls on Sunday, Starmer reiterated the UK’s position that security in the High North is a priority for all NATO allies in order to protect Euro-Atlantic interests. He told Trump that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO is unacceptable.
Trump’s tariff threat comes after a Danish-led military exercise in Greenland this week, which the US president claimed was conducted for “purposes unknown.” The UK contributed a single military officer to the Arctic endurance exercise, which the affected countries stressed was pre-coordinated and posed no threat.
Thousands of Greenlanders have taken to the streets in the capital Nuuk to protest Trump’s attempts to purchase their homeland, declaring it is “not for sale.” One resident, Malik Dollerup-Scheibel, said the news “shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now.”
The US president has long coveted the mineral-rich, self-governing Danish territory, viewing it as crucial for American national security. He has now confirmed plans to impose a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland from February 1, increasing to 25% from June 1 unless a deal is reached.
The threat of economic damage has sparked backlash across Europe, with UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy describing the government’s position on Greenland as “non-negotiable.” Conservative MP Simon Hoare has even called for King Charles’ upcoming state visit to the US to be cancelled, branding Trump a “gangster pirate.”
Denmark’s foreign minister said Trump’s announcement came as a surprise after a “constructive meeting” with US officials earlier in the week. More European troops have now been deployed to Greenland in response to the president’s warning about the territory’s importance for Arctic security.
The leaders of the European Commission and European Council have condemned the tariffs, warning they will “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.” They stressed that territorial integrity and sovereignty are “fundamental principles of international law” that are “essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole.”