Ed Davey Labels Trump 'Bully' and 'Gangster' Amid Tariff Row over Greenland

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey on Tuesday sharply criticised US President Donald Trump in the UK Parliament, calling him an “international gangster” and a “bully” in response to what he described as aggressive trade threats and pressure tactics directed at the United Kingdom and other European allies.

Davey, who leads the third-largest party in the House of Commons, was reacting to recent tariff-linked warnings issued by Trump against countries opposing his stated plans related to Greenland. Trump has repeatedly suggested the idea of “buying” or annexing Greenland, a territory governed by Denmark, drawing concern and opposition from European leaders.

Addressing lawmakers, Davey accused the US president of attempting to use economic and political pressure to force compliance from allied nations. He characterised Trump as a leader who believes he can “grab whatever he wants using force if necessary”, arguing that such an approach undermines international law and long-standing diplomatic norms between allies.

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The Liberal Democrat leader also criticised what he described as a broader pattern in Trump’s foreign policy, alleging that tariff threats are being used as leverage against countries that resist Washington’s agenda. According to Davey, this behaviour risks destabilising transatlantic relationships and weakening collective cooperation on global challenges.

Trump’s comments and actions regarding Greenland have previously been dismissed by Denmark, which has firmly stated that the territory is not for sale. European leaders have largely viewed the proposal as provocative, particularly given Greenland’s strategic importance in the Arctic region.

The remarks by Davey add to the growing political debate in the UK over how to manage relations with the United States amid shifting foreign policy positions. While the British government has not endorsed Davey’s language, his comments reflect wider unease among some European politicians about the implications of trade pressure and territorial rhetoric on global stability.

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