UK stance on Greenland’s future is ‘non-negotiable’, says Lisa Nandy | Greenland
While European countries strongly opposed Donald Trump’s decision to impose 10% tariffs on the UK and seven other countries, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy insisted the UK’s position on Greenland was “non-negotiable”.
After Keir Starmer called Trump’s tariffs “completely wrong” and the president said tariffs would rise to 25% if European countries did not agree to a US plan to buy Greenland, Nandy refused to say whether or how the UK would respond.
But when asked if Britain would ever accept the US idea, Nandy told Sky News: “Yes, of course.” He continued: “The Prime Minister was very clear last night that we believe this decision on tariffs is completely wrong. The future of Greenland is for the people of Greenland and the people of the Kingdom of Denmark to decide, and for them alone.”
“We have been consistent on this issue. This is a view we have expressed to our friends and allies in the American administration.”
Trump said in a post on the site Truth Social that the tariffs will apply starting Feb. 1 to NATO members, including Britain, France and Germany, who have deployed troops to the region in response to growing uncertainty about its future. He said tariffs would rise to 25% on June 1 if a deal to buy Greenland was not reached.
Trump wrote: “Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland traveled to Greenland for unknown purposes… This is a very dangerous situation for the safety, security and survival of our planet.”
Nandy was pressed to say whether Britain would retaliate with its own tariffs or other measures, such as the postponement of King Charles’s state visit to the US this year, but he refused to say.
“What you encourage me to do is come to your show and yell and scream,” he said. “We will go and have this conversation with our American colleagues… We will also talk about the security of the UK and the US and how our interests can be better served by working together.
“Our stance on Greenland is non-negotiable. We have made it very clear and will continue to make it clear. President Trump’s stance on Greenland is different. However, it is in our collective interest to work together and not start a war of words.”
In a statement on Saturday evening, Starmer said: “Our position on Greenland is very clear; it is part of the Danish kingdom and its future is a matter for Greenlanders and Danes.
“We have also made it clear that on the security of the Arctic, all of NATO and our allies must do more together to counter the Russian threat from different parts of the Arctic.
“Imposing tariffs on allies to ensure the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. Of course, we will pursue this directly with the US administration.”
Opposition politicians also condemned Trump’s threats. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: “President Trump declaring tariffs on the UK via Greenland is completely wrong.
“These tariffs will be another burden on businesses in our country. Greenland’s sovereignty should be decided only by the people of Greenland.”
Nigel Farage said: “We don’t always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don’t. These tariffs will hurt us. If Greenland is vulnerable to malevolent influence then take another look at Diego Garcia.”
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “Starmer’s US policy is in shambles. Trump is now punishing the UK and its NATO allies simply for doing the right thing.”
“It’s time for the Prime Minister to stand firm against the bully in the White House and work with European and Commonwealth allies to dissuade him from this reckless plan.”
