Former US President Donald Trump has declared that the United Kingdom will face punitive tariffs on all exports to America, in a dramatic escalation of his long-standing campaign to acquire Greenland.
Tariff Threat Over Arctic Ambitions
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday 17 January 2026, Mr Trump stated that a 10% tariff will be applied to "any and all goods" sent from the UK to the US starting 1 February 2026. This levy is set to rise sharply to 25% from 1 June 2026. He declared the measures would remain in force "until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland."
The tariffs are not aimed solely at Britain. Mr Trump listed several European nations, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland. He accused them of having "journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown," creating a "dangerous game" and an untenable risk to global peace.
UK's Arctic Involvement and Political Backlash
The announcement follows confirmation earlier in the week that the UK had sent a single military officer to Greenland at Denmark's request. Downing Street clarified this was part of a reconnaissance group ahead of a planned Arctic Endurance exercise and did not constitute a formal "deployment."
The move has sparked immediate condemnation from across the UK political spectrum. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labelled the tariff plan "a terrible idea," stating President Trump was "completely wrong." She warned of higher costs for people in both countries and another burden for UK businesses. Notably, she aligned with Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on the principle that "the sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by the people of Greenland."
Broader Security Concerns and US Demands
Mr Trump's renewed push to annex the semi-autonomous Danish territory is driven by fears that Russia or China could gain control of the strategically vital Arctic region. His administration has previously threatened to use force, causing significant alarm within the NATO alliance.
In his statement, Mr Trump asserted, "China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it." He called it "time for Denmark to give back" and said the US was "immediately open to negotiation."
Since the start of 2026, when the US revived its public pursuit of Greenland, the UK government has intensified discussions on Arctic security. Prime Minister Starmer has raised the issue directly in calls with Mr Trump, the Danish prime minister, and the NATO secretary-general.
The imposition of tariffs represents a significant economic and diplomatic challenge, testing transatlantic relations and placing a new, unexpected cost on UK-US trade at a sensitive time.
