NATO sends pointed message to Donald Trump as tensions over Greenland increase
The President threatened to hit Norway, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the UK with new 10 per cent tariffs
Eight NATO allies have officially responded to a series of scandalous new tariffs that Donald Trump has threatened to impose if they fail to support his 'takeover' of Greenland.
The US President previously claimed he 'needs' the self-governing territory - which is technically situated within the Kingdom of Denmark - for 'national security' purposes. It is believed, however, that Trump, 79, also seeks to take advantage of the area's vast mineral wealth.
After Prime Ministers from both Greenland and Denmark slammed his plans as 'fantasy', and other world leaders condemned his hopes of attaining the Arctic space, Trump's administration even claimed it was 'actively' discussing a potential offer to buy Greenland.
This claim came after the Republican refused to rule out military intervention if necessary for this.
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Despite this, however, Trump has ceaselessly been told that the country is not for sale, and that an attempt to seize Greenland would legally count as an attack on Denmark itself, which would, in turn, result in the intervention of a number of other nations.
Given the strong defensive stance that NATO nations have taken since he expressed his interest in the country, Trump vowed to instil a wave of tariffs on Norway, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the UK over the weekend.
He alleged the charges were necessary, given that 'world peace is at stake' in the face of 'China and Russia' potentially taking Greenland for themselves.
From 1 February, they'll each pay 'a 10 per cent tariff on any and all goods'.
This will increase to 25 per cent from 1 June, and will be 'due and payable until such a time as a Deal is reached', as per a Truth Social post shared by the right-wing leader.
A joint statement was shared by the nations on Sunday (18 Jan) that had been subjected to Trump's harsh tariffs in response.
"As members of NATO," it began. "We are committed to strengthening Arctic security as shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise 'Arctic Endurace' 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."
The statement continued: "Tariff treats 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."
Just minutes ago, UK leader Starmer also delivered a conference on the matter, during which he slammed Trump's tariff threats as 'completely wrong'.
Of the impact that the tariffs could have on his country's economy, he explained: "In today’s world, geopolitics is not something that happens somewhere else: It shapes the cost of energy, the price of food, the security of jobs and the stability that families rely on to plan their lives.
"When war drives up food prices, it’s households who feel it first. When supply chains fracture, it’s small businesses and working people who absorb the shock. When instability grows, it is rarely those with the most power who pay the price."
He added that trade wars are 'in no one's interest', and that threats are 'not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance'.
Starmer also insisted he won't 'abandon principle' going forward in his relationship with the US, and that whilst Britain is a pragmatic nation, 'being pragmatic does not mean being passive'.
"We look for agreement," Starmer continued. "We believe in partnership. We prefer solutions to slogans, and we will not indulge in commentary and gesture politics that harm the British people."
The Brit's remarks come after reports that the European Union will retaliate against the Republican's vow with its own series of tariffs, which will be worth over €93bn ($107.71bn), as per The Independent.
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, World News, News, Politics
Rhianna Benson