NATO nations, including the United Kingdom, have criticized Donald Trump for jeopardizing relations with his threats of imposing tariffs over Greenland. The US President recently announced intentions to impose 10% tariffs on countries, including the UK, if they oppose his bid to acquire Greenland. Trump also warned of raising tariffs on NATO allies to 25% by June 1 if a deal for Greenland is not agreed upon.
Cabinet ministers, including Keir Starmer, condemned Trump’s actions as “completely wrong.” In a joint statement, several countries, such as Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK, expressed solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, emphasizing their commitment to Arctic security as a shared interest.
The statement highlighted the importance of dialogue based on principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, denouncing tariff threats as damaging to transatlantic relations. The UK’s Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, affirmed the UK’s stance on Greenland as non-negotiable while avoiding escalating tensions with the US.
Nandy emphasized the significance of the UK’s relationship with the US and reiterated the UK’s position that Greenland’s future should be determined by the wishes of its people. Other world leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, have also rejected Trump’s tactics.
Amid the escalating situation, EU ambassadors have been called for urgent discussions to address the tariff threats and their impact on international relations.