A senior UK political leader launched a blistering critique of US President Donald Trump in the British parliament on Tuesday, accusing him of acting like an “international gangster” and a bully for his aggressive stance on trade and territorial ambitions.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey condemned Trump’s recent tariff threats against the United Kingdom and other European allies, which were linked to their opposition to the president’s controversial plan to pursue control of Greenland from Denmark.
Addressing lawmakers in a heated session, Davey described the current diplomatic climate as “an incredibly grave moment” and warned that the long‑standing “special relationship” between the UK and the United States — once extolled by Trump himself at Windsor Castle — is now “nearly in tatters.”
Trump, Davey said, is engaging in “unprovoked aggression” and using coercive tactics rather than cooperation in international relations. He accused the US president of threatening the sovereignty of allies and even suggesting the possible demise of NATO. “President Trump is acting like an international gangster,” Davey declared, adding that he behaves like someone who believes he “can grab whatever he wants using force if necessary.”
The UK politician argued that such discord ultimately benefits geopolitical rivals, saying that “the only people cheering him on are Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.”
Davey also criticized both the current Labour government and previous Conservative administrations for what he called a policy of appeasement towards Trump, claiming that flattering and accommodating the US leader had failed. He urged a firmer stance, quipping that the alternative seemed to be offering “a few billion in his crypto account” to placate him.
Tensions escalated after Trump announced plans to impose a 10 percent import tariff on goods from eight European countries, including the UK, from February. These measures are reportedly retaliation against nations backing Denmark’s refusal to negotiate over Greenland. Trump has argued that the US “needs” Greenland for security reasons to counter potential threats from China and Russia.
Further fueling the dispute, Trump shared altered images on social media depicting the US flag planted in Greenland and maps placing Greenland and Canada within US borders.
The US president has also clashed with French President Emmanuel Macron over a range of issues, including American foreign policy, its approach to Gaza, and Trump’s self‑styled “Board of Peace” initiative. Trump has threatened steep 200 percent tariffs on French wines and champagnes to pressure Macron to join his plan — a strategy that diplomats say could undermine the United Nations.
French government minister Annie Genevard labeled the tactics “brutal” and equated them to blackmail, warning that Europe cannot permit such escalation.