UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Britain and other European countries unless a deal is reached for the purchase of Greenland, describing the move as completely wrong.
President Trump has announced plans to introduce a 10% tariff on goods exported to the United States from the UK, Denmark and several EU countries from 1st of February, with the rate expected to rise to 25% by June.
He said the measures would remain in place until an agreement is reached for the “complete and total purchase of Greenland”.
Responding to the threat, Sir Keir said the UK would raise the issue directly with the US administration, stressing that Greenland’s future “is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes alone”.
His comments marked a rare public rebuke of the US president by a British prime minister.
Trump has argued that US control of Greenland is necessary for global security, claiming China and Russia are seeking influence on the island. He also linked the demand to the effectiveness of a proposed US missile defence system, which he said requires control of Greenland to operate at maximum potential.
Denmark has reacted angrily to the comments, with Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen saying the threat came as a surprise following what he described as a constructive recent meeting with US officials. Danish politicians have accused Trump of overreach, while EU leaders warned the proposed tariffs could damage transatlantic relations.
In Greenland itself, protests have broken out in the capital, Nuuk, with residents carrying banners declaring that the territory is “for Greenlanders”, underscoring opposition to any attempt to force a sale through economic pressure.
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