The leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has thrown her weight behind Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s criticism of Donald Trump’s plans to impose extra tariffs on the UK and other European countries for opposing the U.S. attempt to seize an autonomous Danish territory, Greenland.
In a statement on Saturday, Ms Badenoch described Mr Trump’s decision as a “terrible idea,” saying it would result in higher costs for people in the UK and the U.S.
“President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland. People in both UK and U.S. will face higher costs,” Ms Badenoch wrote on X, adopting the same words the UK prime minister had earlier used.
Since capturing President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, Mr Trump has pushed for U.S. purchase and occupation of Greenland, cautioning European leaders to either fall in line or face stiff trade sanctions.
The Republican president slapped a 10 per cent tariff on goods coming from Britain, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and France, effective February 1. He accused the countries of playing a dangerous game.
He vowed to increase the tariff to another 25 per cent by June 1 “until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland.”
Reacting, Mr Starmer had described Mr Trump’s threat as “completely wrong,” saying his administration would pursue the decision with the U.S.
While agreeing with Mr Starmer, Ms Badenoch added that Greenland’s sovereignty should be decided by its people, not by foreign powers.
“These tariffs will be yet another burden for businesses across our country,” said Ms Badenoch. “The sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by the people of Greenland.”
Other European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, Ulf Kristersson, and European Council President Antonio Costa, described Mr Trump’s decision as unacceptable.
Meanwhile, thousands of people in Greenland and Denmark hit the streets on Saturday to protest against Mr Trump’s plans to take over the Danish territory, with demonstrations held in Danish cities, including the capital, Copenhagen, and Greenland’s capital, Nuuk.
