Ed Davey, leader of the United Kingdom’s Liberal Democrats, has accused United States President Donald Trump of acting like an “international gangster” over his renewed push to acquire Greenland.
Speaking in the UK parliament on Tuesday, Davey criticised Trump’s pressure on European allies and described him as “the most corrupt president the United States has ever seen.” His comments were directed at Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper amid growing concern over the UK’s diplomatic response to recent developments.
Trump has intensified calls for European support for his plan to purchase Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark and a NATO ally. In addition, he recently announced plans to impose a 10 percent tariff on goods from several European countries, including the UK, beginning February 1, with the rate set to rise to 25 percent from June 1 unless an agreement is reached over Greenland.
In a letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump reportedly argued that global security required “complete and total control of Greenland,” linking his stance to what he described as Norway’s failure to award him the Nobel Peace Prize last year.
Both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly stated that the territory is not for sale.
Davey warned that Trump’s actions threaten the sovereignty of NATO allies and could undermine the alliance itself. He also criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of taking a “flattering” approach toward Trump that he said had failed.
“It is time for the government to change course and be clear-eyed about the sort of man Trump is,” Davey said, describing the US president as a bully. He urged the UK to stand firmly with its European partners to push back against Trump’s demands.
