Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring that President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on the UK and other European allies are "completely wrong" and "no way to treat allies". The rebuke came during an urgent statement in the House of Commons on Monday evening, following President Trump's escalating demands to purchase Greenland from Denmark.
Cross-Party Condemnation in the Commons
Addressing MPs, Ms Cooper delivered a firm defence of sovereignty and international law. She confirmed she had held talks with her Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, in London and had also spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Foreign Secretary unequivocally stated that the future of Greenland "is a matter for Greenlanders and the Danes, and them alone", framing the issue as a fundamental principle of territorial integrity.
Her stance received cross-party support. Senior Conservative MP and shadow foreign secretary, Dame Priti Patel, labelled the US President's threats as "completely wrong", while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused Mr Trump of "acting like an international gangster". The unified parliamentary response underscores the serious concern in Westminster over the potential rupture of transatlantic relations.
Prime Minister's Cautious Stance and US Justification
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier branded the tariff threats as "completely wrong" during an emergency Downing Street press conference. However, he struck a more cautious tone than some European allies, emphasising the "profound" importance of the UK-US relationship and suggesting the dispute should be resolved through "calm discussion". He appeared to dismiss immediate tit-for-tat retaliation and suggested the King's state visit to the US in April would proceed.
President Trump has justified his pursuit of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, on grounds of national security, highlighting perceived threats from Russia and China in the Arctic. He has threatened to slap a 10% tariff on all imports from opposing nations, rising to 25% by June if they do not concede. In a personal letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre, Mr Trump bizarrely linked his territorial ambitions to not being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Economic Risks and International Fallout
The potential economic consequences for the UK are significant. Analysts fear the proposed tariffs could severely damage key British industries such as car manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, with some warning they could even tip the economy into recession. In contrast to the UK's measured approach, the European Union is reportedly considering deploying its new anti-coercion trade instrument—dubbed the 'big bazooka'—which could hit the US with retaliatory tariffs worth up to £81 billion.
Ms Cooper argued that Arctic security is best maintained through NATO cooperation, not division. "A trade war would hurt workers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. It would be in no-one's interests," she told the Commons. Despite the firm language, the path forward remains uncertain, with the White House showing no signs of backing down from its extraordinary demands.
