Northern Ireland's First Minister has expressed profound alarm over former US President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on allies, including the UK, in pursuit of a controversial takeover of Greenland.
Assembly Confronts International Crisis
Speaking during question time at the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday 19 January 2026, Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill stated she was "deeply concerned" about the potential economic fallout for the region. She revealed that Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald had already written to both the UK and Irish governments to outline their fears.
O'Neill told MLAs that people were "aghast" at the developments, labelling Trump's strategy as an attempt to "snatch territory" and a breach of international law. "You cannot be bullied by another country just to support your whim," she asserted, emphasising that international law needs to prevail.
Unique Post-Brexit Vulnerabilities
The First Minister highlighted Northern Ireland's special and unique circumstances in a post-Brexit world, making it particularly vulnerable to shifts in trade policy. "What happens across the EU or what happens in Britain has a real impact for us," she explained, calling for calm heads and a resolution that supports local industry.
O'Neill confirmed that Minister Archibald had convened her trade committee and that the Executive would hold a series of meetings throughout the week to coordinate a response. "Trade wars are a race to the bottom and will serve nobody well in the longer term," she warned.
Cross-Party Concern and NATO Implications
DUP leader Gavin Robinson echoed the concerns, stating it was widely recognised that tariff differentials would not be beneficial for Northern Ireland or the United Kingdom. He referenced the region's past experience with tariff threats, expressing hope that the "potential damage" would ultimately be avoided.
Robinson also addressed the wider geopolitical stakes, noting the importance of NATO's security guarantees. He expressed uncertainty over Trump's ultimate goals, questioning whether the aim was already being achieved by focusing military attention on Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The US president has threatened tariffs against the UK and several EU nations until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland, and has not ruled out military action to secure the territory.
