Trump has announced tariffs on several European countries, including the UK, and said they would not be lifted until a deal to acquire Greenland is agreed
The Prime Minister has labelled Donald Trump’s new tariffs as “completely wrong”, whilst he re-iterated UK support for Greenland.
Sir Keir Starmer said that his position on Greenland remained unchanged. “It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for Greenlanders and the Danes”, he said in a statement.
“We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of Nato and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic”, Starmer added.
The Prime Minister said that he would be addressing the matter directly with the US administration.
His comments come several hours after Trump announced a 10 per cent tariff on all goods sent from the UK to the US, following troops being deployed to Greenland.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump criticised action taken by the UK, as well as France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden.
He wrote: “These countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.”
Trump added: “Therefore, it is imperative that in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question.”
The tariffs – which will come into force on February first – will remain in place until a deal is agreed for the US to acquire Greenland, Trump said.
He added that the rate of tariffs would be increased to 25 per cent on June 1 if a deal had still not been agreed.
The announcement comes days after European countries, including the UK, sent small number of military personnel to Greenland as part of plans for a “larger and more permanent” Nato presence to secure the island.
Concerns have been growing over US’s plans to annex Greenland (Jim Watson/Reuters)
On Thursday, Denmark’s defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen told journalists that it “is crucial to show that security in the Arctic is not only for the Kingdom of Denmark, it is for all of Nato.”
The US President’s Truth Social post claimed that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland “have journeyed to Greenland for purposes unknown”.
Trump has repeatedly made his case for the US to buy Greenland in order to, he claims, protect it from being taken by Russia or China.
In his post, Trump said: “Many Presidents have tried, and for good reason, but Denmark has always refused. Now, because of The Golden Dome, and Modern day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important”.
The location of Greenland makes it vital to US security and Denmark can not be relied upon to protect the territory, Trump has argued.
Trump has not ruled out military action.
Protesters on Copenhagen’s City Square during a protest in support of Greenland (Photo: Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images)
Greenland and Denmark have asserted that the autonomous island is not for sale, and warned that threats of force are reckless.
Today, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Nuuk and Copenhagen to demonstrate against the threat of annexation
They waved signs that read “Greenland is not for sale” and “Hands off Greenland”.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has labelled Trump’s threat “a terrible idea”.
“President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland. People in both UK and US will face higher costs”, she wrote on X.
A terrible idea. President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland. People in both UK and US will face higher costs.
These tariffs will be yet another burden for businesses across our country. The sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by… https://t.co/r4IHO2A1oK
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) January 17, 2026
Sir Ed Davey, who leads the Liberal Democrats said that “Starmer’s US policy lies in tatters” following the announcment.
He wrote on X:”Trump is now punishing the UK and Nato allies just for doing the right thing.
“Time for the PM to stand firm against the bully in the White House, and work with European and Commonwealth allies to make him back down from this reckless plan.
Reform leader Nigel Farage said that the tariffs would hurt the UK.
“We don’t always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don’t”, he said, “If Greenland is vulnerable to malign influences, then have another look at Diego Garcia”.
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said after Trump’s announcement that he is “coordinating a joint response”.
“The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law… which of course begins within the territory of the member states of the European Union”, Costa told reporters.
Other European leaders, whose countries will also be hit by tariffs, have hit back at the US President, accusing him of ‘blackmail’.
Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish leader, spoke in defence of their Scandinavian neighbors.
The Prime Minister said that he was in talks with the UK and other powers, adding: “Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland.
“I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbours. This is an EU issue that affects many more countries than those now being singled out.”
The Government has been approached for comment.
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