Donald Trump tariff threats risk ‘dangerous downward spiral’, UK and allies say | Politics | News
The UK and European allies have warned that Donald Trump’s tariff threats risk a “dangerous downward spiral”.
The US President has promised to impose a 10 percent tariff on “any goods” sent to America unless he is allowed to buy Greenland from Denmark.
Retaliating against eight countries that sent troops to the Arctic island for exercises, Mr Trump also warned NATO allies that they were playing a “very dangerous game”.
EU ambassadors will meet in Brussels for emergency talks on Sunday evening to discuss the bloc’s response.
But the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland issued a joint statement on Sunday, saying: “As NATO members, we are committed to strengthening the security of the Arctic as a common transatlantic interest.
“Denmark’s previously coordinated Arctic Resilience exercise with the Allies meets this need. It poses no threat to anyone.
“We stand in full solidarity with the people of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland. Building on the process that started last week, we are ready to enter into a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we firmly stand behind.”
“Tariff threats are undermining transatlantic relations and leading to a dangerous decline. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are determined to protect our sovereignty.”
The European Parliament has warned that ratification of the US-EU trade deal signed by Mr Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland last July will be paused.
President Trump said on Saturday that Britain will impose a 10 percent customs duty on “any goods” sent to the United States as of February 1, and that this tax will be increased to 25 percent as of June 1 until an agreement is reached on Washington’s purchase of Greenland from Denmark.
Earlier this week, Britain confirmed it had sent a military officer to Greenland as Denmark increased its military presence in the Arctic and High North.
Downing Street said they were sent, at Denmark’s request, to join a reconnaissance group ahead of a planned Arctic endurance exercise, but denied it amounted to a “deployment”.
Mr Trump said countries were playing a “very dangerous game”.
“It is time for Denmark to give it back,” he said, adding: “China and Russia want Greenland and there is nothing Denmark can do about it.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the plan to impose tariffs as “completely wrong” and said he would “take on this directly” with the US administration.
