Greenland: Proposed US Tariffs

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Excerpts

Monday 19th January 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

To ask His Majesty’s Government, in light of recent developments in relation to Greenland, what assessment they have made of the impact of proposed US trade tariffs on the UK economy, and what diplomatic efforts they are making to ensure the sovereign rights of nations to their territories.

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)]

I am grateful to the noble Lord. It is always good to hear him speak on these issues. As the Prime Minister stated this morning, the use of tariffs against our allies is completely wrong. It is not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance. Any decision about the future status of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone. The Prime Minister spoke to both President Trump and Prime Minister Frederiksen yesterday, as well as other key partners.

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)]

My Lords, I welcome what the Minister has said and fully align myself with it. I think I speak for most, if not all, in your Lordships’ House in saying that we are at one with the Government’s position on the issue, and I welcome the recent statements by all political leaders in this respect.

I would like to press the Minister further. First, what are the implications of the tariffs, particularly for the negotiations on the existing agreement that has been made for exports such as car manufacturing? Some 17.4% of our exports go to the US and the sector needs to have long-term planning. What assessment has been made in that respect and what briefing has been given? Secondly, bearing in mind that the President of the United States is going to be in Europe at Davos, surely now is the time for the British Government to convene an emergency meeting of the NATO alliance to address the issues of the alliance’s long-term security and, importantly, not just the sovereign rights of Greenlanders and of Denmark but of other territories around the world.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

As noble Lords would imagine, we are speaking constantly—this is happening in real time—with our friends, allies and partners in NATO and beyond. Any meetings that are needed to be convened will, I am sure, happen. The impact of these tariffs would be extremely damaging, not least to our car industry, aerospace, the life sciences and steel. It is not something that we wish to see happen and we hope that this proposal can be averted.