Sun, 18 Jan 2026

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 Faisal Islam: Trump's Greenland threats to allies are without parallel

The US president's latest threats will baffle the leaders of allied nations, writes the BBC's economics editor.
The US President's threat to impose tariffs on Western allies who oppose his proposed annexation of Greenland has left officials stunned, and experts questioning whether it's a genuine attempt or just a bluff. This unprecedented move is seen as an economic war being waged by the White House against its closest allies, targeting them with little notice for a cause that could potentially break up NATO and the Western alliance. The international community is struggling to understand Trump's backing on this issue within his own administration and Congress. Canada has been one of the countries affected by US trade policies under President Trump. Despite seeing its trade with the US decline, Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, has successfully diversified its trade portfolio with other nations. The timing of this threat coincides with Prime Minister Carney's recent visit to China, where he was pushing for a "new world order" and seeking increased trade ties.
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