Starmer brands Trump's plan to apply tariffs over Greenland 'completely wrong' - follow live
1.
Imposing tariffs on allies 'completely wrong', says Starmerpublished at 19:20 GMT
Breaking
Image source, Reuters
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer describes Trump's threat to impose tariffs on US allies as 'completely wrong'.
"Our position on Greenland is very clear – it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes," he says in a statement.
"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."
2.
Swedish PM says 'we will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed'published at 19:16 GMT
Image source, Reuters
In the last few minutes, we've also been hearing from the Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, who rejects Trump's tariff threats.
"We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed," he writes on X, adding that 'only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland'.
"I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbours," he says. "This is an EU issue that concerns many more countries than those now being singled out.
"Sweden is now having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway and the UK for a collective response."
3.
'No intimidation nor threat will influence us' - French President Macronpublished at 18:53 GMT
Image source, EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron says France remains committed to 'the sovereignty and independence of Nations' as he expresses his support to Greenland and Denmark.
Writing on X, Macron says that 'no intimidation nor threat will influence us' as he describes Trump's tariff threats as 'unacceptable'.
"Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed," he says.
"We will ensure that European sovereignty is respected."
4.
UK Government must show genuine backbone, Green Party sayspublished at 18:45 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
The Green Party says Donald Trump’s tariff threat is an ‘outrageous abuse of power’.
Ellie Chowns, the leader of the Parliamentary Green Party and MP for North Herefordshire, says in a statement: “Donald Trump treats the international stage like a schoolyard playground, attempting to bully and brute force other countries into compliance with his imperialist agenda.”
She adds it is 'a direct attack on the principle of national self-determination, treating the future of Greenland as if it were a piece of spoils to be bought and sold. The UK must not be cowed.'
Chowns says the UK Government 'must show genuine backbone', adding that: 'Greenland cannot be bought – it’s time to prove that Britain can’t be either.'
5.
'Enough is enough': Danish MPs react to Trump's tariff threatpublished at 18:35 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Danish politicians are also starting to react to Donald Trump's latest tariffs.
The leader of the Danish Democrats, Inger Stoejberg, tells national Danish broadcaster DR that Denmark must not bow to 'Trump's bully methods'.
Writing on X, Danish MP Pelle Dragsted says that the tariff threats 'must be met with European solidarity and resistance'. He adds: 'Enough is enough.'
As a reminder, Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark with self-government and its own parliament. It governs its own domestic affairs - but not its defence policy."
6.
European Council President plans 'co-ordinated response'published at 18:30 GMT
Breaking
Image source, Getty Images
Reacting to news of new Trump's threat of tariffs on some European countries, European Council President Antonio Costa says he is 'co-ordinating a joint response'.
Speaking at a news conference in the moments after Trump's surprise announcement, Costa says: 'the European Union will always be very firm in defending international law... which of course begins within the territory of the member states of the European Union'.
7.
Trump struck tariff deal with EU back in Julypublished at 18:23 GMT
Trump's tariff announcement today comes after an agreement was struck between the EU and US on import taxes back in July.
Here's what was agreed then when Trump called it 'the biggest deal ever made':
- Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed a US tariff on all EU goods of 15%
- This was half the original 30% figure Trump had threatened before the deal
Trump said the EU's 27 member states would open their markets to US exporters with 0% tariffs on certain products in return
A 50% US tariff implemented by Trump on steel and aluminium remained globally in place
And, the deal was not as good as the UK's 10% tariff rate on exports to the US more widely
And, here's a brief reminder of what he's announced today:
- European countries including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland face a new set of tariffs
- These will be at 10% on exports to the US after 1 February, and will increase to 25% after 1 June
8.
'These tariffs will hurt us' - Reform UK leader Nigel Faragepublished at 18:11 GMT
Image source, EPA
Reform leader Nigel Farage says Donald Trump’s tariffs over Greenland would hurt the UK.
He says: '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 malign influences, then have another look at Diego Garcia.'
9.
Trump's tariff plan - what has he said?published at 17:58 GMT
Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter
Image source, Reuters
US President Donald Trump has vowed to impose extra tariffs for the UK, Denmark and other European countries.
He made the announcement a short while ago on his Truth Social platform - we've taken a closer look at what he said.
Which countries has Trump targeted?
- Listed by Trump are: 'Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland'
A look at the numbers:
- From 1 February 2026, the countries listed above will be charged 'a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America', Trump writes
- On June 1, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%, he adds
- These new taxes will 'be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland'
What is Trump's reasoning?
- At the start of his social media post, Trump says 'it is time for Denmark to give back - World Peace is at stake!'
- He says this is because China and Russia 'want Greenland' but no one other than the US 'can play in this game'
- 'This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet,' Trump writes, and accuses the countries mentioned as having 'put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable'
- So, the president says, strong measures must be taken to 'protect Global Peace and Security'
- Trump references the 'Golden Dome' defence system, which he says can 'can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency... if this Land is included in it'
10.
'Starmer's US policy lies in tatters,' says Liberal Democrats leaderpublished at 17:36 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey says that 'Starmer's US policy lies in tatters' following Trump's plan to hit the UK with extra tariffs,
Writing on X, he says: 'Trump is now punishing the UK and Nato allies just for doing the right thing.
'Time for the PM to stand firm against the bully in the White House, and work with European and Commonwealth allies to make him back down from this reckless plan.'
11.
Trump's tariffs: A replacement for traditional diplomacy?published at 17:30 GMT
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Travelling with President Trump
Today's announcement is far from the first time that Trump has used tariffs as a foreign policy tool - one that his detractors have often accused him of 'weaponising'.
For Trump, the purpose of tariffs extends far past the economic benefits he claims that they bring to the United States.
In some ways, they have supplanted traditional diplomacy and foreign policy levers as the preferred US option.
Recently, for example, he announced a 25% tariff on nations trading with Iran as part of a larger bid to pressure the Iranian regime amid ongoing protests.
In the past, he has also credited tariffs with helping him end conflicts abroad. In November, he said he'd threatened India and Pakistan with 350% tariffs, prompting them to come to the negotiating table.
Other examples include slapping additional tariffs on Brazil as a form of political pressure after its judicial system prosecuted former President Jair Bolsonaro, or - also in November - on Canada after Ontario's Premier ran anti-tariff advertisement on TV.
His power to use tariffs has not gone unchallenged domestically, and we are still waiting for a Supreme Court decision on whether his use of them has complied with federal law. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr578pvlp8qo)
12.
Why does Trump want Greenland?published at 17:24 GMT
US President Donald Trump insists his country needs to acquire Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using military force.
While a possible purchase has also been suggested, Trump says he plans to take control of the island 'the easy way' or 'the hard way'.
His demands have been rejected by Greenland's leaders and by Nato member Denmark, of which the island is a semi-autonomous territory.
Greenland's location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region.
More than once, he has described the threat he perceives from rival powers, saying that 'if we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland'.
13.
'Terrible idea' - Kemi Badenochpublished at 17:13 GMT
Image source, Reuters
We've just heard from the UK's Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch, who calls Trump's latest round of tariffs a 'terrible idea'.
'President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland,' she writes on social media, adding that customers 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,' she says.
14.
'Diplomatic channels are the way to go,' US speaker tells BBC before Trump tariff announcementpublished at 17:07 GMT
In an interview recorded before President Trump announced tariffs on the UK and other European countries in response to the Greenland row, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that he doesn’t 'foresee military intervention in Greenland' by America.
Donald Trump ally Mike Johnson told the BBC 'diplomatic channels are the way to go', when asked about how President Trump planned to acquire Greenland without military action and said his appointment of a Greenland envoy demonstrated this intention.
Johnson said Donald Trump was 'playing chess' in his handling of the issue but that he hadn’t discussed it specifically with the president.
15.
In pictures: Protesters in Nuuk and Copenhagen say 'Greenland not for sale'published at 17:03 GMT
Just hours before Trump announced his new tariffs, protesters in Greenland and Denmark took to the streets to rally against his threats of annexation.
We can now bring you some pictures from Nuuk and Copenhagen:
Image source, Reuters
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
16.
A surprise announcement, escalating battle over Greenlandpublished at 16:59 GMT
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Travelling with President Trump
I'm currently travelling with Trump in Florida, where the White House press corps assumed - wrongly - that the US president would enjoy a quiet morning on the golf course.
Trump's announcement about the tariffs against several Nato allies represents an escalation in his recently rekindled drive to acquire Greenland, despite the opposition of European governments.
The White House has, in recent weeks, repeatedly made clear that all options are on the table to Trump as he seeks to take control of the island.
Still, the announcement is something of a surprise, particularly as it comes just days after US and Danish officials agreed to form a working group.
Some observers in Washington had interpreted that agreement as one that would, at the very least, buy time. The tariffs have now injected a newfound sense of urgency into the issue.
On the other hand, Trump has often mused that 'tariff' is his favourite word. It's become a favoured tool to wield to achieve concrete foreign policy objectives.
For now, we have little expectation that we will hear from Trump directly today.
But at 15:30 ET/ 20:30 GMT, Trump is scheduled to hold a closed door meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at Mar-a-Lago. At the White House, similar events often open to the press at the last moment.
17.
Tariffs would be a real blow for Downing Streetpublished at 16:51 GMT
Nick Eardley
Political correspondent
The UK has sought to walk a tight rope with President Trump in the past few weeks - not criticising some of his controversial foreign policy actions, but making clear that it believes the future of Greenland is for its people and the people of Denmark.
It now seems the White House hasn't taken that well - at least when it comes to Greenland.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has built a good relationship with President Trump. British officials had hoped that would work in the UK's favour when it came to the 'special relationship'.
But these tariffs would be a real blow for Downing Street's strategy - if they come into force.
I'd imagine there will be some frantic discussions going on now to figure out if they can avoid them.
18.
What are tariffs, and how do they work?published at 16:47 GMT
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods.
Typically, the charge is a percentage of a good's value.
For example, a 10% tariff on a $10 product would mean a $1 tax on top - taking the total cost to $11.
The tax is paid to the government by companies bringing in the foreign products.
These firms may pass some or all of the extra cost on to their customers, which in this case means ordinary Americans and other US businesses.
19.
'It's time for Denmark to give back,' says Trumppublished at 16:40 GMT
Breaking
We can bring you more now from Donald Trump, who says on Truth Social that the US has subsidised Denmark and the European Union for many years by not charging them tariffs.
The president adds that after centuries 'it’s time for Denmark to give back'.
'World Peace is at stake! China want Greenland, and there is not a thing Denmark can do about it,' Trump says and claims Greenland is only protected by two dogsleds.
He goes on to say that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK the Netherlands and Finland 'have journeyed to Greenland for purposes unknown’ are playing a 'very dangerous game'.
'Strong measures' must be taken so that this 'potentially perilous situation end quickly and without question,' Trump adds.
20.
Trump to impose tariffs on European countries over Greenland rowpublished at 16:33 GMT
Breaking
US President Donald Trump has announced a new set of tariffs for a swathe of countries that export goods to the US, beginning on 1 February.
Trump says these will remain in place until 'such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland' by the US.
Writing on social media, Trump says countries including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland will be 'charged a 10% tariff' on 'all and any' goods sent to the US.
On 1 June, this will be increased to 25%, he writes on Truth Social.
As a reminder, tariffs are taxes on imported goods, and are usually paid to the government by companies bringing in foreign products.
This is a breaking news story - we'll bring you the latest as we get it.
