UK and allies hit back at Trump's tariffs threats

UNITED States tariff threats over the future of Greenland “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral’ the UK and other affected European countries have said.

- HELEN CORBETT

In a joint statement yesterday, eight European countries said they will “stand united and coordinated” in their response.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the UK will be charged a 10% tariff “on any and all goods” sent to the US from February 1, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

Mr Trump said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, and he added that they had “journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown’.

The UK and the other seven nations said: “As members of Nato, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise, Arctic Endurance, conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone.