Keir Starmer slams Trump’s tariff threats as ‘completely wrong’ amid Greenland row

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

• Starmer urges calm talks after Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland
• He says Greenland's future should be decided by its people and Denmark
• Starmer opposes tariff war, urges alliance protection and de-escalation

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday called for calm and measured discussions among allies over Greenland, warning that a trade war would serve no one’s interests, after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs to secure control of the Arctic territory, according to Reuters.

Addressing an emergency press conference, Starmer said Britain’s alliance with the United States had delivered security and prosperity for decades, and stressed that he would work to preserve those ties while easing tensions over Greenland, which have raised fresh doubts about NATO’s future.

“The use of tariffs against allies is completely wrong,” he said at a Monday-morning press conference called in response to Trump’s announcement of new levies over the weekend. “A trade war is in no one’s interests,” he said, warning: “Such measures hurt British workers, British businesses and the British economy.”

However, Starmer made it clear that Trump’s threats to impose escalating tariffs on Britain and European allies were misguided. He said Greenland’s future must be decided by its people and Denmark alone, adding that long-standing alliances must be protected.

“Tariffs should not be used against allies in this way,” Starmer said, while noting that Britain would be pragmatic rather than passive. He underlined that London was not seeking to escalate the situation.

“A tariff war is in nobody's interests, and we have not got to that stage. And my focus, therefore, is making sure we don't get to that stage,” he added.

Trump has warned of tariffs on eight countries that sent small numbers of military personnel to Greenland last week, following his repeated statements about wanting to take over Denmark’s vast Arctic island.

Starmer said he spoke with Trump on Sunday and explained that the deployed forces were “clearly there to assess and work on risk from the Russians,” expressing hope that there was now “real clarity” on the issue.

His stance of avoiding retaliation contrasts with the European Union, where officials have discussed countermeasures, including potential tariffs on €93 billion ($107.7 billion) worth of US imports.

Starmer cautioned that such threats could trigger a “downward spiral” for Britain by damaging trade and weakening alliances.

“I do not want to see that happen,” he said, adding, “That doesn't mean that we put to one side our principles and our values. Quite the contrary, we're very clear about what they are.”

Asked whether he believed Trump was genuinely considering military action, Starmer replied, “I don't, actually. I think that this can be resolved and should be resolved through calm discussion.”