Category Archives: POLITICS

Trump Doubles Down On Threat To Slap Tariffs On Europe Over Greenland

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Donald Trump has doubled down on his threats to slap tariffs on Europe over Greenland – while also telling the continent to focus on the Ukraine war instead.

The US president announced on Saturday that he would charge a 10% import tax from February 1 on eight European countries – including the UK – because of their opposition to his plans to take control of the Arctic island.

They will be hiked to 25% from June 1 unless America has “control” of Greenland by then, he said.

Greenland is semi-autonomous and part of the kingdom of Denmark. Its government has repeatedly signalled that it does not want to become American.

Trump’s trade escalation has drawn criticism from European allies, with British prime minister Keir Starmer describing the threat as “wrong” and French president Emmanuel Macron urging the EU to use its strongest trade weapon in response.

At a Downing Street press conference on Monday, Keir Starmer said Trump’s tariff threat was “completely wrong”, but ruled out imposing retaliatory UK tariffs on American goods.

Speaking to NBC News over the phone on Monday, the US president insisted he was “100%” committed to his tariff plan.

In his first public comments since plunging the trans-Atlantic relationship into crisis, Trump said: “Europe ought to focus on the war with Russia and Ukraine, because frankly, you see what that’s gotten them.

“That’s what Europe should focus on – not Greenland.”

Trump’s Treasury secretary Scott Bessent also told reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos that it would be “very unwise” for Europe to retaliate over the president’s threats.

He said: “I’ve been travelling so I haven’t been in touch [with European officials] but I spoke with president Trump and evidently there are a lot of inbounds, and I think everyone should take the president at his word.”

He said it was a “complete canard” – an unfounded rumour – to think Trump’s actions over Greenland are down to his failure to clinch the Nobel Peace Prize, even though the president said exactly that over the weekend.

In a message to the Norwegian prime minister Jonas GahrStøre on Sunday, Trump said: “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace.”

“The World is not secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland,” he added. “Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a ‘right of ownership’ anyway?”

Støre later replied by reminding the US president that it is not the Norwegian government who chooses the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, but an independent committee.

But Trump told NBC News: “Norway totally controls it, despite what they say. They like to say they have nothing to do with it, but they have everything to do with it.”

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Norway’s PM Says He Had To Explain To Trump How The Nobel Peace Prize Works After Greenland Rant

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Norway’s prime minister says he had to explain to Donald Trump how the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded after the US president wrongly blamed the government for not being given it.

Trump has held a grudge ever since Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado received the accolade last October.

In an extraordinary text message to Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump said the snub was what pushed him to try and seize Greenland.

He said: “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace.”

Norway is one of the eight European countries – including the UK – which Trump has threatened with tariffs for opposing his plan to take over Greenland, which has been part of the kingdom of Denmark for more than 300 years.

Responding to the president’s rant, Støre said: “Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter.”

He also said he had made it clear that it is an independent committee, rather than the Norwegian government, which decides who wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

“As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including to president Trump what is well known, the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government,” he said.

Nevertheless, Trump has doubled down on his comments in an interview with NBC News on Monday.

He said: “Norway totally controls it despite what they say. They like to say they have nothing to do with it, but they have everything to do with it.”

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Keir Starmer Backs Down Over Hillsborough Law Changes After Backlash

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Keir Starmer has backed down over plans to change the Hillsborough Law following a backlash by MPs and campaigners.

The government had been due to move an amendment to the legislation on Monday which critics said would have watered it down to protect members of the intelligence services.

The aim of the new law, which was promised in Labour’s 2024 election manifesto, is to end cover-ups by public bodies in the wake of major disasters such as the Hillsborough disaster and the Manchester Arena bombing.

Labour whips were bracing themselves for a major backbench rebellion if the vote had gone ahead.

But ministers announced on Sunday night that it was no longer moving the amendment and was seeking further talks with MPs and victims’s families.

A government spokesperson said: “This legislation will right the wrongs of the past, changing the balance of power to ensure the state can never hide from the people it should serve and putting a legal duty on officials to respond openly and honestly when things go wrong.

“The bill will make the police, intelligence agencies and the whole of government more scrutinised than they have ever been, but we can never compromise on national security.

“We will continue to work with all parties to make sure the Bill is the strongest it can possibly be, without compromising national security.”

Under the law, a “duty of candour” would be introduced making it illegal for those in positions of authority to withhold information from investigations.

The government amendment would have allowed the heads of the security services to decide whether or not to disclose information involving their operations.

Ministers insisted the change was necessary to protect national security.

But speaking on Sunday, Labour MP Ian Byrne – who was at Hillsborough on the day of the tragedy in 1989 – told the BBC he was prepared to vote against the government amendment.

Reacting to the government’s decision to pull its amendment, Byrne, the MP for Liverpool West Derby, told HuffPost UK: “I’m delighted to see this pause.

“Now I urge the government to either adopt my amendment or work with us to draft a new amendment which makes the legislation worthy of the name Hillsborough and a legacy to the 97 [Liverpool fans who died].”

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Danish Prime Minister Warns Trump Over Greenland Threat: ‘Europe Will Not Be Blackmailed’

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Donald Trump has been warned “Europe will not be blackmailed” after he announced plans to impose tariffs on the UK and seven other countries opposed to his plans to take over Greenland.

Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said her country “is receiving great support” from across the continent in the wake of the US president’s threats.

Meanwhile, the countries being targeted by Trump warned in a joint-statement that his “tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral”.

Trump announced on Saturday that America will impose a 10% import tax imposed on Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland from February 1.

That charge will rise to 25% on June 1 and remain in place until “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by America.

Greenland has been a self-governing part of the kingdom of Denmark for more than 300 years.

But Trump has said that Russia and China will try to seize the Arctic island unless America takes it over.

Keir Starmer has said the US president’s threats are “completely wrong”, while culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the UK’s backing for Greenland and Denmark was “non-negotiable”.

In a statement on Sunday, Mette Frederiksen said: “I am pleased with the consistent messages from the rest of the continent: Europe will not be blackmailed.

“At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is an issue that reaches far beyond our own borders.”

She added: “We want to co-operate, and it is not we who are seeking conflict.”

A joint-statement by the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland said they “are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest”.

“We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland,” the statement said.

“Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.

“Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

“We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response.

“We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”

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Trump Slaps Tariffs On UK And 7 Other European Countries Until US Controls Greenland

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Donald Trump has slapped tariffs on the UK and seven other European countries until America controls Greenland.

In an extraordinary development, the US president said a 10% import tax will be imposed on Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland from February 1.

Hitting back on Ssturday evening, Keir Starmer said Trump’s actions were “completely wrong”.

Announcing the move on Truth Social, Trump said the charge will then be increased to 25% on June 1 and remain in place “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by America.

Greenland has been part of the kingdom of Denmark for more than 300 years.

But Trump said: “World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently.

“Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that! Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake. On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.”

Earlier this week, the UK announced it had sent a military officer to Greenland as Denmark stepped up its military presence in the Arctic and High North.

Trump went on: “This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.

“Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question.”

The president added: “The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades.”

Keir Starmer said: “Our position on Greenland is very clear – it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.

“We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic.

“Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration.”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said it was “a terrible idea”.

She posted on X: “President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland.

“People in both UK and US will face higher costs. These tariffs will be yet another burden for businesses across our country.

“The sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by the people of Greenland. On this, I agree with Keir Starmer.”

Speaking on a visit to Westminster last week, Greenaldic Naaja Nathanielsen said the territory “felt betrayed” by Trump’s threats to take over the Arctic island.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey branded Trump a “bully” and said the PM’s policy towards the US “lies n tatters”.

He wrote on X: “Starmer’s US policy lies in tatters. Trump is now punishing the UK and NATO allies just for doing the right thing.

“Time for the PM to stand firm against the bully in the White House, and work with European and Commonwealth allies to make him back down from this reckless plan.”

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Starmer’s US policy lies in tatters. Trump is now punishing the UK and NATO allies just for doing the right thing.

Time for the PM to stand firm against the bully in the White House, and work with European and Commonwealth allies to make him back down from this reckless plan. https://t.co/9O0IvLKGsQ

— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) January 17, 2026

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Time for the PM to stand firm against the bully in the White House, and work with European and Commonwealth allies to make him back down from this reckless plan. https://t.co/9O0IvLKGsQ— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) January 17, 2026\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Ed Davey on Twitter / 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Starmer’s US policy lies in tatters. Trump is now punishing the UK and NATO allies just for doing the right thing.

Time for the PM to stand firm against the bully in the White House, and work with European and Commonwealth allies to make him back down from this reckless plan. https://t.co/9O0IvLKGsQ

— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) January 17, 2026

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