In a candid admission that laid bare a fundamental geopolitical dilemma, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has articulated the precarious balancing act facing the UK and Europe in dealing with a resurgent Donald Trump. The comments come as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joins world leaders, including representatives from the Trump administration, for a critical conference on Ukraine in Paris on Tuesday 06 January 2026.
The Delicate Art of Managing a Superpower
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Mr Streeting highlighted the core conflict for Western leaders. On one hand, the recent US military strike on Venezuela and the capture of its president, Nicola Maduro, is widely viewed as a likely breach of international law. On the other, there is a palpable fear of provoking the former US president into rash actions that could severely harm European interests.
As Mr Streeting explained, Sir Keir's approach is one of extreme caution. "The prime minister chooses what to say, how to say it, and when to say it, very carefully," he said. The overarching priority is to leverage influence to protect national and economic security, even if that means tempering vocal defence of the rules-based order. In essence, managing Trump's ego and unpredictable policy shifts has become more immediately critical than upholding legal principles.
Greenland Fears and the Limits of European Power
The Venezuela incident, while a fait accompli, has set a dangerous precedent that now looms over other sovereign territories. There is a genuine apprehension among European capitals that Trump could next set his sights on Greenland, a sovereign territory of Denmark, a fellow EU and NATO member.
The stark reality, however, is that Europe's options are severely limited. Military confrontation with the US is unthinkable, and imposing sweeping sanctions would be economically crippling for European nations already struggling with US tariffs. The UK and Europe need more trade with the US, not less, making any robust response to such an incursion fraught with peril. Analysts suggest an invasion of Greenland would result in little more than diplomatic protest in the short term.
Starmer as the 'Trump Whisperer' in Ukraine Talks
The immediate focus in Paris, however, is Ukraine. European leaders acknowledge that a lasting peace with Russia will likely require a US-brokered deal. The challenge is to persuade a Trump administration, weary of the war's economic cost, to maintain a firm stance against Vladimir Putin while establishing secure European borders.
In this high-stakes environment, Sir Keir Starmer is viewed by fellow European leaders as a pivotal 'Trump whisperer' – a statesman who can gain a hearing from the US president and potentially dissuade him from his most erratic impulses. His role in managing the US relationship will be central not just in Paris but in the critical weeks to follow.
Yet, beneath the surface of these urgent talks, a longer-term strategic reckoning is beginning. This summit may mark a quiet turning point where Europe, including the UK, starts serious discussions on how to bolster its own military, security, and economic independence in a world where it can no longer rely on the United States. A decade after the Brexit referendum, Britain may soon face a stark choice: deeper alignment with its European allies or the role of sidekick to a belligerent America.
