Ed Davey, leader of the UK’s Liberal Democrats, has criticised US President Donald Trump’s proposal to purchase Greenland, likening his actions to those of an “international gangster.” Speaking in parliament on Tuesday while addressing Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Davey described Trump as “the most corrupt president the United States has ever seen” and expressed concern over what he said was the UK government’s failure to effectively respond to recent developments involving Washington.
Trump has intensified pressure on European allies to back his bid to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark and a NATO ally, while announcing plans to impose tariffs on European countries, including the UK. The US president said goods exported to the United States would face a 10 percent tariff from February 1, rising to 25 percent from June 1, until an agreement over Greenland is reached. Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly stated that the territory is not for sale, dismissing Trump’s renewed claims linking his ambition to global security concerns.