Nigel Farage has been branded “pathetic” and “mealy-mouthed” after offering a muted response to Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on the UK and several European allies over Greenland.
The Reform UK leader drew criticism from across the political spectrum after posting on X that Britain does not always agree with the US government but that the proposed tariffs would “hurt us”, before suggesting concerns about Greenland’s vulnerability should prompt renewed scrutiny of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
The intervention contrasted sharply with the responses of other party leaders, who condemned Trump’s tariff threat outright and defended Greenland’s sovereignty.
Trump announced that he would impose a 10% import tax on goods from the UK, Denmark and six other European countries from February, rising sharply later in the year, unless the United States secured control over Greenland. He framed the move as a matter of national security, claiming China and Russia posed a threat to the Arctic territory.
🧭 What Trump wants from Greenland
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and has been part of the Danish realm for more than 300 years. Its strategic importance has increased in recent years due to melting Arctic ice, new shipping routes and the presence of rare earth minerals.
Trump has repeatedly argued that the US needs Greenland for national security reasons, a claim rejected by Denmark, Greenland’s government and NATO allies. Recent polling in the US has suggested most Americans oppose any attempt to acquire the territory by force or coercion.
The US president’s decision to link trade tariffs to territorial demands has alarmed European governments, which see the move as an attempt to use economic pressure to override international law and alliance norms.
🌍 UK and European leaders push back
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Trump’s announcement, calling the tariff threat “completely wrong” and warning that punishing allies for defending collective security undermines NATO.
“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, adding that the UK would pursue the matter directly with Washington.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch backed the prime minister’s stance, describing the tariffs as “a terrible idea” that would raise costs for businesses and consumers in both countries.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey went further, accusing Trump of bullying allies and arguing that Britain must stand firm alongside European and Commonwealth partners.
🪑 Farage’s response draws fire
Against that backdrop, Farage’s intervention stood out for its tone rather than its substance. While acknowledging that the tariffs would harm Britain, he stopped short of criticising Trump directly and instead pivoted to questioning Western defence arrangements elsewhere.
Critics said the response appeared designed to avoid alienating Trump, with whom Farage has long expressed ideological sympathy, while offering little reassurance to British businesses or workers facing potential economic fallout.
Davey accused Farage of putting loyalty to Trump ahead of national interest, saying his reaction showed a reluctance to confront the US president even when British trade was under threat.
“President Donald Trump is targeting us for standing with our allies, and yet the best you can do is say ‘we don’t always agree’? That is pathetic,” Davey said. “You can always count on Nigel Farage to side with Trump rather than stand up for Britain.”
⚖️ Criticism from across the political spectrum
Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski also attacked Farage’s stance, arguing it confirmed long-held concerns about Reform UK’s relationship with Trump.
“This is the chickens coming home to roost for Nigel Farage,” Polanski said. “Reform UK are Donald Trump’s puppets. They will always defend the powerful and look the other way when Britain’s interests are threatened.”
Online reaction echoed that criticism, with commentators accusing Farage of fence-sitting at a moment when clear leadership was required. Others pointed to the contrast between his claim to champion British sovereignty and his reluctance to challenge Trump over a policy that would directly harm the UK economy.
🌐 Trade, sovereignty and political pressure
Trump’s tariff threat follows a pattern in which trade measures are used as leverage to extract political concessions, even from allies. European governments fear the Greenland dispute could spill into a wider trade confrontation if the US follows through on its plans.
Economists have warned that tariffs of the scale proposed would hit exporters, disrupt supply chains and increase costs for consumers, particularly if retaliatory measures are introduced.
For Farage, the episode has reopened questions about how a party that brands itself as patriotic and anti-establishment would respond when its closest international ally adopts policies that damage Britain’s economic interests.
While Reform has yet to issue a fuller statement, the reaction to Farage’s initial comments suggests the Greenland row could become an awkward test of the party’s claim to put Britain first.
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