{"id":376139,"date":"2026-01-18T01:29:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T01:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/376139\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T01:29:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T01:29:12","slug":"backlash-after-trump-threatens-uk-and-seven-other-european-nations-with-tariffs-over-greenland-purchase-world-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/376139\/","title":{"rendered":"Backlash after Trump threatens UK and seven other European nations with tariffs over Greenland purchase | World News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Donald Trump has sparked a strong backlash after saying he will impose tariffs on eight European countries &#8211; including the UK &#8211; until the US is allowed to purchase Greenland.<\/p>\n<p>The US president said 10% tariffs would come into effect on 1 February for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland.<\/p>\n<p>The rate would then climb to 25% on 1 June if no deal was in place for &#8220;the complete and total purchase of <a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/topic\/greenland-7938\/1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Greenland<\/a>&#8221; by the United States, Mr Trump wrote in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/trump-latest-us-team-in-denmark-to-counter-presidents-greenland-threats-as-envoy-plans-visit-13489831\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland &#8211; as it happened<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The US president seems to have acted on his <a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/video\/donald-trump-threatens-tariffs-for-countries-opposed-to-greenland-takeover-13495173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">previous warning that he would impose tariffs<\/a> on countries that do not go along with his plan to acquire the Danish territory.<\/p>\n<p>Prime Minister <a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/topic\/keir-starmer-6820\/1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sir Keir Starmer<\/a> said Mr Trump was &#8220;completely wrong&#8221; for applying tariffs on allies who are &#8220;pursuing the collective security of NATO allies&#8221;, adding that he will be &#8220;pursuing&#8221; this with the US administration.<\/p>\n<p>French President <a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/topic\/emmanuel-macron-6240\/1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Emmanuel Macron<\/a> called the threat of tariffs &#8220;unacceptable&#8221; and said if implemented Europe would respond in a coordinated manner.<\/p>\n<p>European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa said in separate but identical posts on X that the European Union stood in &#8220;full solidarity&#8221; with Denmark and Greenland.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward \u200bspiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty,&#8221; they said.<\/p>\n<p>Officials from Norway, Sweden, France and Germany reiterated support for Denmark and said tariffs should not be part of Greenland discussions.<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/skynews-donald-trump-greenland_7138410.jpg\"   alt=\"Pics: Reuters\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/><\/p>\n<p>        Image:<br \/>\n        Pics: Reuters<\/p>\n<p>Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Trump was &#8220;completely wrong&#8221; to impose tariffs, adding they would be a &#8220;burden for businesses across our country&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Reform leader Nigel Farage said the tariffs would &#8220;hurt&#8221; the UK, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Trump was &#8220;punishing&#8221; the UK.<\/p>\n<p>The European Union has called an emergency meeting of ambassadors from the 27-member countries for Sunday following Mr Trump&#8217;s announcement.<\/p>\n<p>The US president indicated the tariffs were a retaliation after European countries sent military personnel to Greenland in a show of support for the territory.<\/p>\n<p>He wrote: &#8220;These countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>So far France has sent as many as 15 personnel to the Danish territory, Germany has sent 13 and the UK has sent one military officer.<\/p>\n<p>        Spotify<\/p>\n<p>                This content is provided by Spotify, which may be using cookies and other technologies.<br \/>\n                To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.<br \/>\n                You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spotify cookies or to allow those cookies just once.<br \/>\n                You can change your settings at any time via the <a href=\"#privacy-options\">Privacy Options<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>                Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Spotify cookies.<br \/>\n                To view this content you can use the button below to allow Spotify cookies for this session only.<\/p>\n<p>                <a href=\"#\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link ui-consent-roadblock-permanently\" data-single-click-vendor-name=\"spotify\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-allow\">Enable Cookies<\/a><br \/>\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link ui-consent-roadblock-once\" data-single-click-vendor-name=\"spotify\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-allow-once\">Allow Cookies Once<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sky-news-daily\/id951048357\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\ud83d\udc49 Listen to Sky News Daily on your podcast app \ud83d\udc48<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Hands off&#8217; Greenland protests<\/p>\n<p>The tariffs were announced the same day thousands of people marched through Copenhagen in support of Greenland in the face of threats from Mr Trump.<\/p>\n<p>Demonstrators brandished Danish and Greenlandic flags and signs with slogans including &#8220;Make America Smart Again&#8221; and &#8220;Hands off&#8221; as they marched on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>Other rallies were planned in Nuuk, the Greenlandic capital, and elsewhere in the Danish kingdom.<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/skynews-greenland-denmark-protest_7137895.jpg\"   alt=\"Marches in Copenhagen for the 'Hands Off Greenland' protest. Pic: Reuters.\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/><\/p>\n<p>        Image:<br \/>\n        Marches in Copenhagen for the &#8216;Hands Off Greenland&#8217; protest. Pic: Reuters.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is important for the whole world,&#8221; Danish protester Elise Riechie said, as she held Danish and Greenlandic flags.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are many small countries. None of them are for sale.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The protests come as a bipartisan US congressional delegation sought to reassure Denmark and Greenland of their support.<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/skynews-denmark-protest-greenland_7137897.jpg\"   alt=\"Protesters gathered in City Hall Square Copenhagen, Denmark. Pic: Reuters.\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/><\/p>\n<p>        Image:<br \/>\n        Protesters gathered in City Hall Square Copenhagen, Denmark. Pic: Reuters.<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/skynews-denmark-greenland_7137899.jpg\"   alt=\"Pic: Reuters. \" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/><\/p>\n<p>        Image:<br \/>\n        Pic: Reuters. <\/p>\n<p>Delegation leader senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said he wanted to de-escalate the situation and the US had respect for Denmark and NATO &#8220;for all we&#8217;ve done together&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I hope that the people of the Kingdom of Denmark do not abandon their faith in the American people,&#8221; Mr Coons said in Copenhagen.<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/skynews-trump-donald-venezuela_7131653.jpg\"   alt=\"Mr Trump has said Russia and China also have plans to acquire Greenland. Pic: Reuters.\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/><\/p>\n<p>        Image:<br \/>\n        Mr Trump has said Russia and China also have plans to acquire Greenland. Pic: Reuters.<\/p>\n<p>Mr <a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/topic\/donald-trump-5711\/1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Trump<\/a> has repeatedly argued the US needs to take over Greenland because Russia and China had their own designs on the self-governing territory.<\/p>\n<p>The president&#8217;s comments stood in stark contrast to Mr Coons&#8217;s remarks on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Read more:<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/why-does-trump-want-to-take-over-greenland-and-could-he-actually-do-it-13285350\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Why does Trump want to take over Greenland?<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/trump-is-likely-gambling-he-could-get-away-with-greenland-grab-as-nato-needs-us-more-than-he-needs-it-13491116\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trump is likely gambling he could get away with Greenland grab<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/skynews-chris-coons-denmark_7137992.jpg\"   alt=\"Democratic senator Chris Coons said he had respect for Denmark and NATO. Pic: AP\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/><\/p>\n<p>        Image:<br \/>\n        Democratic senator Chris Coons said he had respect for Denmark and NATO. Pic: AP<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are no current security threats to Greenland,&#8221; Mr Coons said.<\/p>\n<p>The White House has not ruled out taking Greenland &#8211; which has vast untapped reserves of critical minerals &#8211; by force.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There is almost no better ally to the United States than Denmark,&#8221; Mr Coons said. &#8220;If we do things that cause Danes to question whether we can be counted on as a NATO ally, why would any other country seek to be our ally or believe in our representations?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this week, the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland met with US vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio in Washington.<\/p>\n<p>        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/skynews-greenland-us-trump_7130130.jpg\"  class=\"ui-video-player-poster-image\" alt=\"\" data-testid=\"video-player-poster-image\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    Share<\/p>\n<p>\n                &#8216;Anger and resentment&#8217; in Greenland\n            <\/p>\n<p>     <a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/download-app\" target=\"blank\" data-tracking-label=\"ui-app-promo-download-link\" class=\"ui-app-promo sdc-article-widget\" data-type=\"\" data-component-name=\"ui-app-promo\" data-testid=\"app-promo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><\/p>\n<p>    <\/a><\/p>\n<p>That meeting resulted in an agreement to set up a working group, despite Denmark and the White House offering diverging views on its purpose.<\/p>\n<p>Denmark said this week it was increasing its military presence in Greenland in co-operation with allies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Donald Trump has sparked a strong backlash after saying he will impose tariffs on eight European countries &#8211;&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":376140,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[59,57,58,50,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-376139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-united-kingdom","tag-gb","tag-great-britain","tag-greatbritain","tag-news","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=376139"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376139\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/376140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=376139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=376139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=376139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}