Donald Trump responded with a brief “no comment” today when asked about the possibility of using military force to acquire Greenland. The US president had previously stated that the US would obtain Greenland one way or another, and had issued threats of imposing tariffs on countries opposing his intentions regarding the island.
In a statement to NBC News, Trump refrained from elaborating on potential military action concerning Greenland. Following Trump’s trade war threats related to Greenland, Sir Keir Starmer urged for calm and downplayed the likelihood of a US invasion.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of resolving the dispute over Greenland, known for its valuable minerals and strategic Arctic location, through peaceful discussions among allies rather than resorting to military force or trade conflicts.
Trump also announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on all goods shipped from Britain to the US starting February 1, escalating to 25% by June 1, until an agreement is reached for the US to purchase Greenland from Denmark. Similar tariffs were threatened against Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland, all NATO members.
When questioned about Trump’s readiness to invade Greenland, Sir Keir expressed skepticism. He advocated for a peaceful resolution through dialogue, emphasizing the inappropriate use of tariffs in this context.
In an urgent address from Downing Street, Sir Keir underscored the need for national unity during the crisis and reiterated that decisions regarding Greenland’s sovereignty should be made by Greenland and Denmark alone. He condemned the use of tariffs against allies and stressed the importance of constructive dialogue within the alliance for addressing security concerns without resorting to economic pressure.
