British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly opposed US President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom and other European allies in a dispute over Greenland. Trump has warned that the United States could levy a 25% tariff on goods from countries opposing his proposal to acquire the territory from Denmark. Starmer called the plan “completely wrong” and urged diplomatic engagement instead of economic pressure.
Speaking at Downing Street on Monday, Starmer said using tariffs against allies “is not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance” and described the situation as “very serious.” He emphasized that any decision about Greenland’s future must involve the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. “The security of Greenland matters and it will matter more as climate change reshapes the Arctic,” Starmer said. “The High North will require greater attention, greater investment, and stronger collective defence.”
Starmer stressed that the UK is prepared to assist NATO allies in strengthening Greenland’s security but ruled out retaliatory tariffs against the US for now. He underscored that “a trade war is in no one’s interest” and said maintaining a strong UK-US relationship remains a priority.
The Prime Minister’s comments mark a sharp departure from the close working relationship he has maintained with Trump over the past year, which included the £1 billion UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal and a reciprocal trade agreement during Trump’s initial tariff initiatives. Starmer said he discussed his concerns directly with Trump during a phone call on Sunday, adding that “being pragmatic does not mean being passive.”
Trump announced last Saturday that a 10% tariff would take effect on 1 February on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the UK unless Greenland is sold. He warned that the rate could rise to 25% on 1 June. The European Union is coordinating a response, with leaders calling the tariffs “undermining transatlantic relations” and signaling that they may activate countermeasures, including tariffs on $107 billion of US goods or restrictions under the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument.
Greenlandic and Danish officials have strongly rejected Trump’s attempts to acquire the island. Last week, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, “if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark.” Trump has argued that US control of Greenland is a “national security” matter, citing potential threats from Russia and China, though Moscow declined to comment on the matter.
European leaders are set to hold an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday to discuss coordinated responses, while NATO officials have highlighted the strategic importance of Greenland as Arctic trade routes and geopolitical competition intensify. Starmer said the UK will support allies’ security efforts but insisted that no plans can proceed without the consent of Greenland and Denmark.
The dispute has heightened tensions across the Atlantic, with markets and governments closely watching developments in one of the world’s most strategically significant regions.
