British Prime Minister Keir Starmer argues that Greenland’s future must be decided by Denmark and the people of Greenland, rejecting U.S. tariff threats tied to allied military activity in the Arctic and warning that such measures undermine NATO’s collective security.
“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,” Starmer said.
His comments follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States would impose tariffs beginning Feb. 1, 2026, on Denmark and several European allies unless a deal is reached for the “complete and total purchase of Greenland.” The tariffs are set to rise to 25% by June if no agreement is reached.
Trump has argued that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security because of its strategic Arctic location, growing military competition with Russia and China, and the island’s mineral resources. He has also criticized European allies for expanding military activity in Greenland, accusing them of putting global security at risk.
Starmer said Arctic security is a shared NATO responsibility and defended allied deployments as necessary to counter Russian activity in the region.
“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,” he said.
Denmark, supported by NATO partners including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, has increased its military presence and training activity in and around Greenland since the summer of 2025. Danish officials say the exercises are coordinated with Greenlandic authorities and focused on operating in Arctic conditions, protecting critical infrastructure, and strengthening deterrence in the North Atlantic.
Trump’s statements have also triggered protests in both Greenland and Denmark. On Saturday, demonstrators rallied in Copenhagen and Greenland’s capital Nuuk, chanting slogans such as “Greenland is not for sale” and “Hands off Greenland.” In Nuuk, thousands marched to the U.S. consulate carrying Greenlandic flags, while Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen told the crowd the island must determine its own future.
The protests reflect growing public opposition in Greenland and Denmark to Trump’s repeated assertions that the United States should acquire the territory, remarks that have sparked a diplomatic rift between two NATO allies.
Starmer said imposing tariffs on allies for participating in NATO security efforts is unacceptable.
“Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong,” he said, adding that Britain would raise the issue directly with Washington.
“We will of course be pursuing this directly with the U.S. administration,” Starmer said.
European leaders have largely closed ranks in response to Trump’s remarks, emphasizing territorial integrity, sovereignty, and unity. Officials across the EU and NATO have warned that economic coercion risks damaging transatlantic relations at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in the Arctic and beyond.
