Sir Keir Starmer has told Donald Trump that applying tariffs on Nato allies is wrong, during a phone call on Sunday aimed at defusing the crisis over Greenland. The Prime Minister spoke to the US President amid a flurry of diplomatic calls with European leaders, including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.
A Downing Street summary said Mr Starmer reiterated that security in the high north is a priority for all Nato allies and that imposing tariffs on allies pursuing collective security is wrong. The firm stance places the UK on a potential collision course with the US, after Mr Trump threatened to impose sanctions on eight European nations, including the UK, for deploying troops to Greenland.
On Monday, Mr Starmer is due to make an emergency statement from Downing Street, reiterating the UK’s opposition to the tariff threats. The Prime Minister cancelled a planned cost-of-living event to align the UK with European opposition, though he is not expected to call for retaliatory measures. UK officials hope his good relationship with Mr Trump may help de-escalate the situation.
All major UK parties, including Reform UK, have condemned Mr Trump’s threat to apply 10% tariffs from 1 February on eight European countries, rising to 25% if a deal to buy Greenland is not reached. However, some MPs are pushing for a stronger response, with the Liberal Democrats calling for an emergency Commons debate and the scrapping of a pharmaceuticals deal with Washington.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy insisted the UK’s position on Greenland was non-negotiable, telling Sky News that the future of Greenland is for its people and Denmark alone to determine. She said the government would continue to make that clear while avoiding a war of words with the US administration.
