In a strong rebuke to US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that the threat of tariffs and military action over Greenland is “completely wrong” and will “benefit nobody.” Starmer’s message comes amidst growing fears of a potential trade war and economic recession if Trump follows through on his demands.
Addressing the situation, Starmer urged calm and diplomacy, stating that the future of Greenland should be determined by the Greenlandic people and the Kingdom of Denmark alone. He rejected calls for the UK to choose sides between the US and its European allies, insisting that maintaining strong alliances on both sides of the Atlantic has served Britain well for decades.
The Prime Minister’s comments came as EU leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, threatened retaliatory tariffs against the US if Trump imposes his proposed levies. There are concerns that the escalating crisis could undermine the NATO alliance, with even Republican lawmakers in the US warning the President of the dangers of his actions.
In a bizarre letter to the Norwegian Prime Minister, Trump appeared to blame the Scandinavian government for his bellicose stance, suggesting it was a consequence of being “snubbed” for the Nobel Peace Prize last year. The US President claimed he “no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace” and that “the world is not secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland.”
Starmer, however, dismissed the idea that Trump would be willing to use military force to annex Greenland, insisting that the “right way to approach an issue of this seriousness is through calm discussion between allies.” He reiterated the UK’s commitment to its European and American partnerships, stating that “a partnership does not mean abandoning principle.”
The Prime Minister’s call for unity was echoed by the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, who has expressed her support for the government’s stance. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also reaffirmed the UK’s position, emphasizing that the future of Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people and the Kingdom of Denmark.
As the crisis continues to unfold, Starmer and his government are working to navigate the delicate balance between their transatlantic alliances, while standing firm in their defense of international norms and the sovereignty of their allies.
