Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Donald Trump’s menace to impose sweeping tariffs on the UK and different European allies over Greenland, calling the transfer “fully flawed” and warning it undermines Nato unity.
The intervention follows a press release by Donald Trump, who stated the USA would introduce a ten per cent tariff on items from the UK and 7 European international locations from 1 February. The levies would rise to 25 per cent on 1 June until a deal was reached to permit the US to buy Greenland.
Trump stated the tariffs would apply to Nato members, together with the UK, France and Germany, which have deployed troops to the Arctic territory amid rising geopolitical tensions. In a put up on his Fact Social platform, he accused European international locations of travelling to Greenland “for functions unknown” and described the state of affairs as “very harmful” for world safety.
Responding on Saturday night, Keir Starmer stated the UK’s place was unequivocal.
“Our place on Greenland could be very clear, it’s a part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes,” he stated. “Arctic safety issues for the entire of Nato, and allies needs to be working collectively to deal with the rising menace from Russia.”
Starmer added: “Making use of tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective safety of Nato allies is totally flawed. We are going to in fact be pursuing this immediately with the US administration.”
Opposition leaders throughout Westminster echoed the criticism, warning the transfer would injury British companies and additional pressure transatlantic relations.
Kemi Badenoch, chief of the Conservatives, stated the menace was misguided. “President Trump is totally flawed to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland,” she stated. “These tariffs might be yet one more burden for companies throughout our nation. The sovereignty of Greenland ought to solely be determined by the folks of Greenland.”
Liberal Democrat chief Ed Davey stated the episode uncovered the fragility of the UK’s relationship with Washington. “Trump is now punishing the UK and Nato allies only for doing the correct factor,” he stated, urging Starmer to work extra carefully with European and Commonwealth companions to push again.
Even Nigel Farage, a long-time admirer of Trump, acknowledged the potential injury. “We don’t at all times agree with the US authorities and on this case we definitely don’t,” he stated, including that the tariffs would “harm” the UK.
Senior Labour figures additionally used the second to argue for a reset in Britain’s strategic posture. Stella Creasy, the Labour MP for Walthamstow, stated Trump’s threats underlined the necessity for nearer cooperation with Europe. “If we will’t depend on America and we don’t need to cosy as much as China, the reply is to get critical about our strategic future with Europe,” she stated.
Former nationwide safety adviser Peter Ricketts urged calm diplomacy, telling BBC Radio 4 that European governments ought to resist escalation and proceed to make the case for collective Nato safety. He famous that throughout the Chilly Conflict the US maintained a big navy presence in Greenland with out resorting to financial threats.
“The suitable method ahead is cooperation, not tariffs and bluster,” Ricketts stated, including that any EU response would have to be coordinated at bloc degree, limiting Trump’s potential to focus on particular person member states.
The tariff menace comes at a delicate second for UK companies, already grappling with weak development, excessive borrowing prices and fragile export demand. Any new commerce boundaries with the US threat compounding these pressures, significantly for producers and exporters reliant on transatlantic markets.
