Keir Starmer has told Donald Trump that applying tariffs on NATO allies is wrong, as the UK prime minister held a series of diplomatic calls to address the crisis over Greenland. Starmer spoke to the US president on Sunday, along with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
A Downing Street summary said Starmer reiterated that security in the high north is a priority for all NATO allies and that tariffs on allies pursuing collective security are wrong. The firm stance places Starmer on a potential collision course with Trump, who has threatened sanctions on eight European nations, including the UK, that have deployed troops to Greenland.
On Monday, Starmer is due to use an emergency Downing Street statement to reiterate the UK's disappointment at the threat of US tariffs, cancelling a planned event on the cost of living. He is expected to align the UK with European opposition to Trump's plan but is not expected to push for retaliatory measures.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the UK's position on Greenland is non-negotiable, stressing that the future of Greenland is for its people and Denmark to determine. She added that the government aims to have serious but private talks with the US administration rather than engage in a war of words.
Every major UK party, including Reform UK, has condemned Trump's threat to impose tariffs starting at 10% from 1 February, rising to 25% if a deal to buy Greenland is not reached. The Liberal Democrats are pushing for an emergency Commons debate, while some Labour MPs advocate a more Europe-leaning stance.
