UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has condemned US President Donald Trump’s warning to introduce fresh tariffs on the UK and several European nations over the Greenland dispute, describing the proposal as “a terrible idea”.
In a post on X on Saturday, Badenoch said: “A terrible idea. President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland. People in both the 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.”
Her reaction comes after Trump disclosed plans to increase import duties on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland, following resistance to his suggestion that the United States should assume control of Greenland.
The White House indicated that a 10 per cent tariff could be introduced from 1 February, with the possibility of it rising to 25 per cent later. Trump has maintained that American ownership of Greenland is vital to national security and has not ruled out the use of force.
European leaders have responded sharply to the announcement. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelled the move “completely wrong”, while French President Emmanuel Macron described it as “unacceptable”. EU ambassadors are also expected to hold emergency discussions after Trump threatened trade sanctions against allies opposing his Greenland position.
Badenoch’s remarks place her alongside Starmer in opposing the tariff threat, while reinforcing the view that Greenland’s future should be determined solely by its people, without interference from outside powers.