In a dramatic escalation that has plunged transatlantic relations into crisis, former US President Donald Trump has declared what amounts to economic war on key NATO allies, including the United Kingdom. The move comes as retaliation for their support of Greenland's sovereignty, which Trump seeks to acquire for the United States.
Tariff Threats and Transatlantic Fury
Trump made the stunning announcement on Saturday, vowing to impose immediate and severe tariffs on nations opposing an American takeover of the vast Arctic island. From February 1, a 10 per cent tariff will be applied to all goods imported by the US from the UK, France, Germany, and five other NATO countries. This punitive levy is set to rise sharply to 25 per cent on June 1.
The President stated these extra tariffs would remain in place until a deal is secured for the US to acquire Greenland from Denmark. He accused Britain and its European partners of playing a "very dangerous game" after they deployed a small number of military personnel to the region at Denmark's request, ahead of a NATO exercise named Arctic Endurance.
Allied Condemnation and the Defence of Sovereignty
The reaction from European leaders was swift and unequivocal. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who has often been cautious in criticising Trump, condemned the move outright on Saturday night. "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong," Starmer stated. He reaffirmed the UK's position that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is for the Greenlanders and Danes to decide.
French President Emmanuel Macron promised a united European response, calling the tariff threats "unacceptable". "No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland," Macron declared.
A Dangerous Doctrine and Global Repercussions
The announcement marks the latest application of the Trump administration's foreign policy strategy, dubbed the 'Donroe Doctrine', which seeks US dominance in the western hemisphere. Trump insists the US needs Greenland for national security, specifically for a planned missile defence shield called the Golden Dome, though critics point to the island's vast untapped mineral wealth.
The fallout has been severe. John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser, called it the "most dangerous and destructive assertion" of Trump's presidency, warning of incalculable damage to the special relationship and NATO alliance.
Meanwhile, public anger flared. On Saturday, thousands of protesters in Denmark and Greenland's capital, Nuuk, braved freezing temperatures to march, chanting "Greenland is not for sale". As the UK government pledges to pursue the matter directly with Washington, the stage is set for one of the most serious rifts in the Western alliance in decades.
