Donald Trump has announced 10% tariffs on eight countries, including the UK and six EU member states, in retaliation for their opposition to his plans to take over Greenland. The tariffs, set to take effect from 1 February, will apply to all goods exported to the United States by the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, rising to 25% from 1 June.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the move as “completely wrong”, insisting that Greenland is part of Denmark and that its future is a matter for Greenlanders and Danes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also criticised the tariffs, warning of a “downward spiral” in transatlantic relations.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Denmark and Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, for a “Hands Off Greenland” demonstration. Camilla Siezing, chair of the Joint Association Inuit, said: “We demand respect for the Danish Realm and for Greenland’s right to self-determination.” Meanwhile, a bipartisan US congressional delegation met Danish and Greenlandic leaders in Copenhagen, expressing support for the island’s sovereignty.
Greenland’s minister for mineral resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, praised European responses, saying she was “thankful and hopeful for diplomacy and allieship to prevail”. UK Green party leader Zack Polanski accused Starmer of appeasing a “bully”, adding that his strategy had ended in “total humiliation”. Finnish President Alexander Stubb echoed calls for dialogue, warning that tariffs could “lead to a harmful spiral”.
