Piers Morgan has publicly broken ranks with Donald Trump after years of defending the US president, mocking his threats to impose tariffs on Britain and Europe with a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that the UK should “repurchase America”.
The broadcaster, who has maintained a notably warm relationship with Trump across two presidential terms, posted the comment on Saturday evening as tensions escalated over Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
In a post viewed millions of times on X, Piers Morgan wrote that Britain should reclaim the United States in the interests of global security, parodying Trump’s language and trade threats.
“Britain should repurchase America. After all, it was once ours, and it would enhance our North Atlantic security,” Morgan wrote. “If you don’t sell it to us, President Trump, we’re going to impose tariffs on the U.S. and any country who supports you in resisting this very good deal. Fair?”
The remark marked a rare moment of public ridicule from Morgan towards Trump, whom he has frequently defended against criticism from British and American media figures.
🌍 Trump’s Greenland escalation
Morgan’s intervention came as Trump intensified his campaign to bring Greenland under US control, threatening to impose tariffs on NATO allies who refuse to support the move.
The US president has said he will introduce a 10% tariff on imports from the UK, Denmark and several other European countries from February, with rates rising sharply later in the year unless a deal is reached to transfer Greenland to American ownership.
Trump has framed the issue as a matter of national security, repeatedly claiming that Russia and China pose an imminent threat to the Arctic territory. Denmark and Greenland’s government have rejected that assessment, insisting there is no justification for US acquisition or military pressure.
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 due to Arctic shipping routes, mineral resources and military positioning, but NATO allies have stressed that its future must be determined by Greenlanders themselves.
🏛️ UK response hardens
Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to Trump’s tariff threat by calling it “completely wrong” and warning that punishing allies for defending collective security undermines NATO.
“Our position on Greenland is very clear,” Starmer said. “It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.”
The prime minister confirmed that the UK would raise the issue directly with the US administration, while reiterating that Arctic security should be addressed through cooperation rather than economic coercion.
Opposition leaders across Westminster have echoed that stance, warning that tariffs would increase costs for consumers and businesses while damaging transatlantic relations.
🎙️ A notable shift from Morgan
Morgan’s post drew attention precisely because of his long-standing personal relationship with Trump. The two men have previously described each other as friends, and Morgan has repeatedly argued that Trump is treated unfairly by critics.
While Morgan framed his comment as satire, the timing and scale of the response suggested growing frustration even among figures traditionally sympathetic to Trump’s worldview.
The post quickly gained traction online, with supporters praising the broadcaster for calling out what they see as reckless behaviour, while critics accused him of trivialising a serious geopolitical dispute.
🌐 Trade threats and alliance strain
Trump’s use of tariffs as leverage has become a defining feature of his second term, with trade penalties increasingly tied to political demands rather than economic disputes.
European leaders fear the Greenland standoff could trigger a broader trade confrontation if the US follows through on its threats, particularly if retaliatory measures are introduced.
For Britain, the episode has reinforced concerns about the reliability of the US as a partner under Trump, while fuelling debate about whether closer alignment with European defence structures is necessary.
Although Morgan’s suggestion was made in jest, it underscored the growing disbelief among allies at Trump’s approach to Greenland – and the extent to which even his long-time defenders are now willing to mock his tactics publicly.
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