Keir Starmer has told Donald Trump that threatening tariffs against Nato allies to secure Greenland is wrong, during a phone call on Sunday. The UK prime minister also spoke to Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte to address the crisis.
A Downing Street summary stated that Starmer reiterated the UK's position, saying security in the high north is a priority for all Nato allies and that applying tariffs on allies for collective security is wrong. Trump has threatened 10% tariffs from 1 February on eight European nations, including the UK, rising to 25% if a deal for Greenland is not reached.
On Monday, Starmer will use an emergency Downing Street statement to express the UK's disappointment. He is expected to align the UK with European opposition but not call for retaliatory measures. Officials hope his good relationship with Trump could help de-escalate the situation.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the UK's position on Greenland is non-negotiable, stressing that its future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide. She confirmed the UK would never accept US annexation, adding that the aim is serious private talks rather than a war of words.
