Trump issued stark ‘downward spiral’ warning from 8 countries | World | News

Donald Trump has been warned by eight European leaders, including Keir Starmer, that threats against the sovereingty of Greenland risk a “dangerous downward spiral”. It comes after the US President threatened to tariff European countries unless he is allowed to acquire Greenland, a Danish territory.

A statement from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom published today stated: “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. We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.

“Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”

It comes after the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, said this morning the UK needs to have an “adult debate” with the US.

But the Government’s position on the future of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, is “non-negotiable”, she added.

The US president 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.

He said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, and that they had “journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown”.

Keir Starmer has described the move as “completely wrong” and said he would be “pursuing this directly” with the US administration.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would not bow to “intimidation” and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said “we will not let ourselves be blackmailed”.

Downing Street said they were sent at Denmark’s request to join a reconnaissance group ahead of a planned Arctic endurance exercise, but denied it amounted to a “deployment”.

Mr Trump said the countries were playing a “very dangerous game”, in his Truth Social post announcing the tariffs.

Mr Trump said the US was “immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades”.

He said it was “time for Denmark to give back”, adding: “China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it.”