Keir Starmer says Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Greenland is ‘completely wrong’

Sir Keir Starmer has lashed out at Donald Trump. The decision will affect Britain and other European countries with a 10 cent tariff If they continue their protest, we will acquire Greenland.

The US president threatens to increase the tariff by 25 per cent from June 1; an agreement has been reached to buy Greenland from Denmark. This applies to Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.

Sir Keir said the government would raise it directly with the Trump administration after the US president warned “world peace” was at risk if the US was not allowed to take control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

“It is entirely wrong to impose tariffs on allies for the sake of the collective security of NATO allies,” the prime minister said in a statement. “We will certainly discuss this issue directly with the US administration.”

The UK’s position on Greenland is “very clear,”, he said: “It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for Greenlanders and Danes.”

“We’ve also made it clear that Arctic security is a NATO concern and that Allies must work together to counter Russia’s threat in the Arctic.”

Ambassadors from the EU’s 27 nations will convene an emergency meeting on Sunday, with EU Council President Antonio Costa saying the group was “coordinating the response” to the announcement.

Cyprus, which holds the rotating EU presidency for six months, said late Saturday that it had called the meeting. EU diplomats have scheduled the meeting to begin at 5 p.m. local time. local time.

Mr Trump warned about both China and Russia.

In a long-form Truth Social post on Saturday, Mr Trump warned that both China and Russia want to control Greenland, which he says only the US can stop.

“Only the United States under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump can play this game, and that too very successfully!

“No one should touch this sacred piece of land, especially since the national security of the United States and the security of the world at large are at risk.”

He also accused all eight countries of “travelling to Greenland for unknown purposes”.

Earlier this week, Downing Street confirmed that a UK military officer had been sent at Denmark’s request to join a reconnaissance group ahead of planned Arctic Endurance exercises but denied it was a “deployment.”.

“This is a very dangerous situation for the safety, security, and survival of our planet,” declared Mr Trump. These countries, which are engaging in this very dangerous game, have introduced a level of risk that is neither acceptable nor sustainable.

“Therefore, it is imperative that, to protect global peace and security, strong measures are taken so that this potentially dangerous situation ends quickly and without question.”

French President Emmanuel Macron issued his sharpest response yet, declaring that “no threats or intimidation will affect us, neither in Ukraine nor in Greenland.”

“Threats of tariffs are unacceptable and have no place in this context,” he said in a post on X.

Officials from Norway, Sweden, France and Germany reiterated support for Denmark on Saturday and said tariffs should n’t be part of the Greenland discussion. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Christerson posted on Twitter, “We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed. Only the governments of Denmark and Greenland have the authority to decide on matters concerning their own affairs.

Mr Trump has been interested in Greenland for a long time, initially proposing US control of the territory in 2019. At the time, the idea was rejected and described as “absurd” by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

In his renewed plan for control, he said it was “time for Denmark to give it back”, adding, “China and Russia want Greenland, and there is nothing Denmark can do about it.”

Greenland is located off the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its area lying within the Arctic Circle. This has been vital to the defence of North America since World War II.

Thousands of people took to the streets of Copenhagen on Saturday to protest Mr Trump’s threats. Protesters were seen marching towards the US Embassy, holding banners with the territory’s red and white flag that read: “Greenland is not for sale” and “No means no.”

Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage were among the senior politicians who criticised the move. The Conservative leader wrote on social media: “A terrible idea. President Trump announcing tariffs on the UK over Greenland is entirely wrong. People in both the UK and US will face higher costs.

“These tariffs will be another burden for businesses across our country. Only the people of Greenland should decide on Greenland’s sovereignty.”

The Reform UK leader said, “These tariffs will hurt us,” while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Trump was “punishing” the UK.

Charlotte Nicholls, Labour MP for Warrington North, said: “Self-determination is a fundamental right for the people of Greenland, and this is a grotesque and dangerous move by the President against US allies at a time when we should be united.”