Greenland–United Kingdom relations
Greenland |
United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Denmark, London | Consulate of the United Kingdom, Nuuk |
Greenland–United Kingdom relations are the foreign and bilateral relations between Greenland and the United Kingdom.
Economic relations
| Type | Free trade agreement |
|---|---|
| Context | Trade continuity agreement between Greenland and the United Kingdom |
| Negotiators | |
| Parties | |
| Language |
Seafood Trade forms the cornerstone of British–Greenlandic economic relations. The UK imports approximately £70 million worth of seafood annually from Greenland, primarily comprising prawns, shrimp, and cod. Following Brexit, these products became subject to tariffs of up to 20%, significantly increasing costs for British processors, restaurants, and consumers. In October 2025, the UK and Greenland resumed negotiations on a Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement, aiming to eliminate these tariffs and restore preferential access.[1]
From 2 December 2001 until 30 December 2020, trade between Greenland and the UK was governed by the European Union–Overseas Countries and Territories Free Trade Agreement, while the United Kingdom was a member of the European Union.[2][3]
Following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the UK and Greenland opened negotiations for a trade continuity agreement on 27 January 2022.[4] By July 2023, trade negotiations between the two countries stagnated and were removed from the UK's trade negotiations agenda.[5] On 2 October 2025, both countries agreed to resume negotiations on the Greenland–United Kingdom Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement at the 7th European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen.[6][7] The trade negotiations also include a critical minerals partnership, a key point in negotiations as British mining companies held a third of mining licences in Greenland in 2025.[8]
Diplomatic missions
- Greenland does not maintain a representation in the United Kingdom; Greenland develops relations with the UK through the Danish embassy in London.
- The United Kingdom is accredited to Greenland through its consulate in Nuuk.[9]
See also
- Foreign relations of Denmark
- Foreign relations of Greenland
- Foreign relations of the United Kingdom
- Free trade agreements of the United Kingdom
- GIUK gap
References
- ^ GOV.UK (3 October 2025). "UK-Greenland trade deal talks resume". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Council Decision 2013/755/EU of 25 November 2013 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Union". EUR-Lex. 19 December 2013. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "EU – Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT)". World Trade Organization. Archived from the original on 24 June 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ Trevelyan, Anne-Marie (27 January 2022). "UK-Greenland Free Trade Agreement Negotiations". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ Gezelius, Hanna (3 July 2023). "'Trade deal is not important enough to offer a quota': As Greenland, UK trade talks run aground, coldwater shrimp is caught in the middle". Intrafish. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Bryant, Chris (13 October 2025). "UK-Greenland Partnership, Trade and Co-operation Agreement". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ^ Undercurrent News (10 October 2025). "UK-Greenland trade talks resume in bid to lower seafood prices". Undercurrent News. Archived from the original on 10 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ Hug, Caroline; Inge, Sophie (30 September 2025). "UK closes in on critical minerals deal with Greenland". Politico. London. Archived from the original on 1 October 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "British Consulate in Nuuk". British-Consulate.Net. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2025.