The leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has urged American President Donald Trump to withdraw tariff threats against the UK and other European countries opposing the U.S. attempt to annex an autonomous Danish territory, Greenland.

In a statement on her X page on Monday, Ms Badenoch said, “The US National Security Strategy recognised both the importance of Europe to American interests and the sovereign rights of nations.”

The Tory leader added, “I urge President Trump to stick to the principles in his own strategy and withdraw the threat of tariffs, for the good of US & European security.”

Ms Badenoch’s appeal came after her statement on Saturday describing Mr. Trump’s threat to slam countries opposing America’s annexation of Greenland with tariff a “terrible idea.”

“President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland. People in both UK and U.S. will face higher costs,” Ms Badenoch wrote on X.

She added, “These tariffs will be yet another burden for businesses across our country. The sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by the people of Greenland.”

Since capturing President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, Mr Trump has pushed for U.S. purchase and occupation of Greenland, cautioning European leaders to either fall in line or face stiff trade sanctions.

The Republican president slapped a 10 per cent tariff on goods coming from Britain, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and France, effective February 1. He accused the countries of playing a dangerous game.

He vowed to increase the tariff to another 25 per cent by June 1 “until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland.”

Other European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, Ulf Kristersson, and European Council president Antonio Costa, described Mr Trump’s decision as unacceptable.

Meanwhile, thousands of people in Greenland and Denmark hit the streets on Saturday to protest against Mr Trump’s plans to take over the Danish territory, with demonstrations held in Danish cities, including the capital, Copenhagen, and Greenland’s capital, Nuuk.