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

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

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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