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Trump says UK will be hit by tariffs until US reaches deal to buy Greenland

17 Jan 2026 3 minute read
Donald Trump. Photo: Frederic Legrand – COMEO

Donald Trump said the UK will be charged a 10% tariff “on any and all goods” sent to the US from February 1, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached to buy Greenland from Denmark.

The US president said European countries, including the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland, had “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.

In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Mr Trump said: “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.

“Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America.

“On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”

Mr Trump said the US was “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”.

He said that it was “time for Denmark to give back”, adding: “China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it.”

It comes as hundreds of people in Greenland’s capital Nuuk attended a rally on Saturday in support of self-governance.

Thousands of people also took part in rallies across Denmark on Saturday opposing any US takeover of Greenland.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Trump was “completely wrong” to impose tariffs over Greenland.

She wrote on social media: “A terrible idea. 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.”

On Thursday, Downing Street confirmed one UK military officer had been sent at Denmark’s request to join a reconnaissance group ahead of a planned Arctic Endurance exercise, but denied it amounted to a “deployment”.

Renewed security concerns come amid fresh pressure from Mr Trump, who has long insisted that the US must take over Greenland to prevent Russia or China from gaining control of the territory.

His administration has even threatened to use force to annex Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Nato ally Denmark, prompting concern about the future of the transatlantic alliance.

Since the US began openly discussing the annexation of Greenland at the start of 2026, the UK has stepped up discussions on Arctic security, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer raising the issue in calls with Mr Trump, the Danish prime minister and the Nato secretary-general.


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Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
3 days ago

What a ‘special relationship’. Please never again let me hear those words spoken from any belly crawling British politician.

Mark T
Mark T
3 days ago
Reply to  Fi yn unig

Very well said.

Mark T
Mark T
3 days ago

I’m being very polite, it’s about time the world tells him where to go , or words to that effect.

A.Robinson-Redman
A.Robinson-Redman
3 days ago

The actions of a very indulged spoilt individual!!!
An utter embarrassment of a human being. Hopefully those threatened don’t go begging .

Jeff
Jeff
3 days ago

Farages mentor.

Buy anything but American

Amir
Amir
3 days ago
Reply to  Jeff

True. Time to look for new friends.

Rob
Rob
3 days ago
Reply to  Jeff

Where is Adrian or the Reform supporters? They are very quiet all of a sudden.

Jeff
Jeff
3 days ago
Reply to  Rob

Farage has a mealy mouthed response forgetting he told the UK that Trump would make the world a better and safer place.

Rob
Rob
3 days ago

Do the American people really want to fight and risk their lives for.this despicable excuse of a human being? Trump who refused to fight in Vietnam because of bonespurs but insulted John McCain for being captured?

Jeff
Jeff
3 days ago
Reply to  Rob

Trump has his goons on the streets of Minnesota murdering people and trying to cover it up. A few more wont matter to him if he gets Greenland and had a pogrom there. In creating ice with his pardoned rioters, he has his paramilitaries and they have massive funding. And his military have shown they are prepared to murder. Putin done well picking trump….. And farage. Way to do this is a massive no show at the World cup. Trump wants that to be a show he will claim credit for. EU and UK can not turn up. That should… Read more »

Rob
Rob
3 days ago
Reply to  Jeff

What happened in Minnesota was awful, but there is a huge difference between those tragic events in and convincing millions of American families to send their sons and daughters off to fight and potentially die in a war to invade and occupy someone else’s territory solely for one man’s whim. Invading Greenland could potentially mean drafts, casualties, global fallout, and the likely end of NATO. This is far more likely to trigger WW3 than the war in Ukraine. And unlike Putin, who can crush opposition and launch invasions with near-total impunity, Trump (at least for now) does not have that… Read more »

Jeff
Jeff
2 days ago
Reply to  Rob

They are already doing it off Venezuela. ICE have a massive arms budget. Don’t rule them out.
trump really is that bad. Miller is his enforcer and a nasty bit of work.

Frank
Frank
3 days ago

I am sure most of the world are fed up to the back teeth with Trump constantly threatening and bullying other countries with his bloody tariffs. I am sure we can survive by not trading with the US until he shuts up. We are big boys now. Let’s see how the US manages without outside trade. We are living in the 21st century and this clown is threatening to invade Greenland. He is in the same league as his mates Putin and Netanyahu. These are not mediaeval times. The world population wants peace not war. We need rid of these… Read more »

Steve D.
Steve D.
3 days ago

The UK can not back down in this dispute – it has to hold firm. Negotiates with the EU must start now to compensate somewhat for the lost US trade, as trade will be lost – it’s time to fight back.

John T
John T
3 days ago

Many of the Greenlandic people have stated there have not been any Russian or Chinese ships off their waters in years. My guess Trump is after their minerals and wants his billionaire energy buddies to drill for oil. According to some geologists.the island could have large amounts oil resources.

Charles Coombes
Charles Coombes
2 days ago

Please do one!

Frank
Frank
2 days ago

Trump, Putin and Netanyahu need to be marched off to mental hospitals in straight jackets as soon as possible before they start a world war.

Keith
Keith
2 days ago

Slow hand clap for the Brexiteers who said we don’t need Europe because the US is our friend.

Adam
Adam
1 day ago
Reply to  Keith

If they “did know what they were voting for” as claimed, then they’re very sick and callous individuals.

MPR
MPR
1 day ago
Reply to  Keith

Somewhat ironic as we didn’t pay astronomical annual amounts for the US ‘friendship’ and added protection – this rattles Trump and he does have a point, of sorts. However the man is deranged and much as we didn’t need to pay club subs when we helped free France and rid Europe of the Nazis, we shouldn’t need to do so again to cement positive relationships that are in our mutual; interest.

Keith
Keith
1 day ago
Reply to  MPR

The misunderstanding is that the subs were far less than the benefits.

The economy is £200bn smaller and tax receipts are £90bn lower but at least we’re not paying an £8bn membership fee, eh?

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