Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has played down the prospect of retaliatory tariffs against the United States, following President Donald Trump's threat to impose fresh levies on Nato allies unless a deal over Greenland is reached. Speaking at an emergency press conference on Monday, Starmer said US tariffs would damage the British economy and were 'in no one's interests,' despite growing domestic pressure for a more forceful response.
Starmer stated that a tariff war 'isn't in anybody's interests' and that his focus is on avoiding such a scenario. 'We have not got to that stage, and my focus therefore is making sure we don't get to that stage,' he said when asked directly about imposing retaliatory tariffs. Downing Street sources indicated that the government is not yet ruling out tariffs completely and will assess the situation as it develops.
The UK government is preparing a potential taxpayer-funded support package to shield British businesses if the US follows through on its threats. Business Secretary Peter Kyle confirmed he has already spoken to Jaguar Land Rover about the tariff threats, stating he is 'always open to conversation about how we can support them.'
Trump has threatened to impose a 10% levy on goods exports from the UK and seven other European countries from 1 February, rising to 25% by June. In an interview with NBC, the US president said he would '100%' push ahead with his tariff plans and declined to rule out seizing Greenland by force. Starmer said he does not believe Trump is genuinely considering military action and that the row should be resolved through 'calm discussion.'
A YouGov poll on Monday found that two-thirds of Britons would support placing tariffs on American goods if Trump delivers on his threat. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged the government to change course, calling Trump an 'international gangster,' while senior Conservative MP Simon Hoare said it was time to 'fight fire with fire.' Starmer defended his diplomatic approach, saying 'alliances endure because they're built on respect and partnership, not pressure.'
