In a bold economic maneuver, Donald Trump announced plans on Saturday to implement significant tariffs on the UK and seven other nations, citing their support for Greenland as the catalyst for his decision.

This unexpected move has ignited a transatlantic crisis, with the US President accusing Britain and other European allies of engaging in a “very dangerous game” following their recent deployment of military personnel to the Arctic region.

Trump’s surprise declaration caught UK officials off guard, as he revealed that starting February 1, NATO allies opposing the US’s intent to acquire Greenland—such as the UK, France, and Germany—will face a 10 percent tariff on all exports to the United States. This tariff is set to increase to a steep 25 percent by June 1.

The President further stated that these tariffs would remain in effect until an agreement is reached for the US to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

Sir Keir Starmer, often criticized for his cautious approach towards Trump, did not hold back in his response on Saturday night, strongly denouncing the proposed tariffs.

In a firm statement, the Prime Minister emphasized Britain’s stance: “Our position on Greenland is unequivocal—it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future should be determined by 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.’

Trump has declared economic war on NATO after vowing vowed to impose punishing tariffs on the UK and seven other nations over their support for Greenland. The US President is pictured at a dedication ceremony for a portion of Southern Boulevard on Saturday

Sir Keir Starmer condemned Mr Trump’s move to impose further tariffs, saying it was ‘completely wrong’. Pictured: Trump and Starmer during a world leaders’ summit on ending the Gaza war on October 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

On Saturday, hundreds of people in Greenland’s capital braved near-freezing temperatures to march in a rally in support of their own self-governance

Emmanuel Macron also reacted furiously to the news, promising consultation with EU leaders. The French president said: ‘No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations.

‘Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and co-ordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We know how to uphold European sovereignty.’

John Bolton, Mr Trump’s former national security adviser, said: ‘Donald Trump’s extraordinary tariff threat against the UK and other countries for things they have said or done regarding Greenland is without doubt his most dangerous and destructive assertion during the five years of his presidency.

‘To say it is without precedent radically understates how foolish and contrary to fundamental American interests it is. Its ramifications for the special relationship and Nato alliance – indeed for the credibility and trust the United States has spent decades trying to establish – is incalculable.’

The UK already pays a 10 per cent tariff on some goods imported by the US, after Mr Trump introduced a wave of taxes on countries around the world on his ‘Liberation Day’ last April.

Mr Trump’s announcement is the latest twist in the White House’s new foreign policy strategy – dubbed the ‘Donroe Doctrine’ after the earlier Monroe Doctrine – in which it seeks to dominate the western hemisphere and prevent foreign control of vital assets.

The UK has deployed just one military officer, at Denmark’s request, to Greenland to join a reconnaissance group ahead of an exercise named Arctic Endurance.

Mr Trump has insisted the US needs to acquire Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using military force. He has claimed it is vital for his planned missile defence shield known as the Golden Dome.

Sir Keir said the UK Government would be ‘pursuing’ America over the threat of tariffs and called Mr Trump’s plan ‘completely wrong’

Greenland’s Head of Government (Naalakkersuisut) Jens-Frederik Nielsen, holds his country’s flag as he took part in a demonstration outside the US consulate in Nuuk on Saturday

However, critics claim his interest is linked to Greenland’s untapped mineral wealth rather than defence. The island possesses at least 25 of the 34 raw materials considered ‘critical’ by the EU.

A source close to Mr Trump told The Mail on Sunday: ‘What President Trump wants, President Trump gets. Some might see this as an escalation of tensions with our Nato allies, but all attempts to negotiate have failed.’

They added that a meeting at the White House last Wednesday, led by Vice President JD Vance with representatives from Denmark and Greenland, ended in impasse.

‘The President has made it clear anything less than full US control of Greenland is unacceptable,’ they added. ‘President Trump is the master of the art of the deal and he knows what he is doing. If we don’t go in, Russia or China will.’

On Saturday thousands of protesters took to the streets in Denmark and in Greenland’s capital Nuuk, chanting ‘Greenland is not for sale’ amid anger over the threats.