Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described Donald Trump's threat to impose 10% tariffs on the UK and seven other European countries over Greenland as 'completely wrong'. The US president announced the levies would apply from 1 February to Nato members who have deployed troops to the Arctic island, with tariffs rising to 25% by 1 June if a deal to buy Greenland is not reached.
In a statement on Saturday evening, Starmer reiterated the UK's position that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is for Greenlanders and Danes to decide. He stressed that Arctic security is a Nato priority and that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing collective security is 'completely wrong'. The prime minister confirmed the UK would pursue the matter directly with the US administration.
Opposition leaders also condemned the move. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the tariffs 'completely wrong' and a burden for UK businesses, affirming that Greenland's sovereignty should be decided only by its people. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey accused Starmer of having his US policy 'in tatters' and urged the PM to stand firm against the 'bully in the White House'. Reform leader Nigel Farage acknowledged the tariffs would 'hurt' the UK, adding that the UK does not always agree with the US government.
Labour MP Stella Creasy argued the tariffs force a strategic choice, suggesting the UK should get serious about its future with Europe if it cannot rely on America. Former national security adviser Lord Peter Ricketts advised European countries to react calmly and continue making the case that US security interests can be served through cooperation with Denmark and Nato. He noted that the EU has a single tariff, making it difficult for Trump to target individual member states.
