Donald Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘wrong’ | UK News

The first minister has criticised President Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on its allies unless they support his proposed takeover of Greenland.

John Swinney said additional duties should not be used as a “bargaining chip” in discussions between trade partners.

The UK and seven other European countries have condemned the US president’s warning of a 10% levy on imports into the US, rising to 25% from the summer, if no deal is done for the autonomous Danish territory.

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer described the tariff threat as “completely wrong”, while French President Emmanuel Macron called it “unacceptable”.

Writing on X, Swinney said the proposed tariffs were “the wrong thing to do”.

The SNP leader added: “Greenland’s future should be decided by the people of Greenland.

“Tariffs should not be a bargaining chip in place of reasonable dialogue between partners.”

The White House has in recent weeks intensified calls for a US takeover of the autonomous Danish territory, which President Trump says is critical for US security. He has not ruled out taking it by force.

On Saturday the US president announced tariffs on fellow Nato members Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland would come into force on 1 February unless an agreement was reached.

Additional taxes and charges could hurt major Scottish exports of products like whisky and salmon.

Both already attract US import taxes – known as tariffs – of 10%.

Last September Swinney said there was a “real chance” that a special trade deal for Scotch whisky could be agreed with President Donald Trump following talks in the White House.

The Scottish government is seeking a reduction or removal of tariffs on Scotch entering the US – which the whisky industry says costs businesses £4m per week.

And the UK government is pursuing whisky tariff reductions as part of wider trade negotiations with the US but a deal has yet to be finalised.

The new Scottish leader of Reform UK, Malcolm Offord, described the tariff threat as “not good” and said Trump’s tactics were “not a normal style of negotiation”.

He told Scotland’s The Sunday Show: “We are a great friend and ally of the US and vice versa and we support the US on most things, but on this one, we have to say, Denmark is a sovereign country.

“Denmark and Greenland’s arrangements have got to be done diplomatically.

“He [Trump] is a businessman and he wants to get things done in a different sort of way. My appeal to the prime minister is just to use all the diplomacy that we’ve got.”

The Conservatives’ shadow Scottish secretary, Andrew Bowie, said the tariffs would have an “adverse impact” on whisky exports and urged President Trump to “think again”.

He told the programme: “Tariffs are not good for anybody. Trade makes everybody healthier, breaks down barriers and prevents wars.

“Denmark is a Nato ally and the situation with Greenland is for the people of Greenland and Denmark.

“The US is one of our strongest and oldest allies and will remain so, but we have a fundamental disagreement over the decision that Donald Trump has taken.”

And Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer said Europe needed to be “absolutely robust” in response to Trump’s actions.

He told The Sunday Show: “We are in a situation where Donald Trump is threatening to invade and steal a nation.

“He is issuing military threats on a daily basis against his ally and our ally, Denmark.

“Trump only recognises and only respects strength, those who have tried to suck up to him and tried the charm offensive have failed time and time again.

“Europe as a whole has been very weak when it comes to standing up to Trump blatantly breaking international law. It is time we draw a line in the sand here.”

The European Union is due to host an emergency meeting on the situation at in Brussels at 17:00 (16:00 GMT) on Sunday involving ambassadors from all 27 EU countries.

Prime minister Starmer said: “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.”

Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, an ally of the president, also called for the tariffs to be averted, posting on X: “We don’t always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don’t. These tariffs will hurt us.”

Thousands of people took part in protests in Denmark and Greenland in response to the proposed takeover on Saturday.

Greenland’s prime minister joined protesters in the capital, Nuuk, holding signs reading “Greenland is not for sale” outside the US consulate.

In the Danish capital, Copenhagen, protesters held placards stating: “Hands Off Greenland” and “Greenland for Greenlanders”.

According to an opinion poll, 85% of Greenlanders oppose the territory joining the US.