British lawmakers are openly pressuring King Charles III to cancel a planned April state visit to the United States amid rising tensions between Washington and Europe over President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs linked to Greenland.
The unusual push comes as President Trump doubles down on his position that the United States must secure Greenland for national security reasons—an argument he has made repeatedly since returning to office. Critics in Britain now argue that the royal visit should be reconsidered if the administration proceeds with trade penalties against European allies.
British MPs Push Back
Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey argued on social media that the United Kingdom should not reward Washington with a high-profile royal visit while tariffs remain on the table.
Other lawmakers echoed that concern, saying Britain should use diplomatic leverage rather than ceremonial goodwill if the U.S. moves forward with the plan.
President Trump announced that eight European countries—including the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Germany, and others—could face a 10% tariff starting February 1, with rates rising to 25% by June, unless opposition to a Greenland acquisition eases.
Why Greenland Matters to Trump
Greenland, the world’s largest island and a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, holds major strategic value due to its Arctic location, rare-earth resources, and proximity to Russia and China.
Trump has argued that U.S. control would strengthen Western security and reduce adversarial influence in the Arctic—a region increasingly viewed as critical to future defense planning.
European leaders, however, insist Greenland’s future should remain in the hands of its residents and Denmark, warning that economic pressure undermines alliance unity.
Europe Considers Retaliation
Officials from the European Union reportedly met in an emergency session to discuss possible retaliatory tariffs if the U.S. follows through.
As tensions grow, some British MPs believe canceling King Charles’ visit would send a strong diplomatic signal without escalating into a full trade dispute.
Where UK Leaders Stand
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Britain’s position is clear: Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future must be decided by Greenlanders themselves. He also warned that trade penalties against allies weaken NATO cooperation in the Arctic.
Meanwhile, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage criticized the proposed tariffs for their economic impact on Britain, while suggesting broader security concerns deserve a more strategic response.
Will the Visit Be Canceled?
According to British media reports, King Charles is still expected to visit the United States in April, marking the first state visit by a reigning British monarch since 2007. Prince William is also expected to travel to the U.S. later this year during the World Cup as part of ongoing trade outreach.
Whether political pressure in London will derail the visit remains uncertain—but the episode underscores how President Trump’s aggressive negotiating style continues to reshape global diplomacy in his second term.