UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has indicated that Britain is not planning to consider retaliatory tariffs as response to Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs against allies over Greenland.
Speaking to reporters, he asserted, “We have not got to that stage,” adding that his focus is on making sure “we don’t get to that stage.”
He decried US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs against allies over Greenland and said that a trade war is in no one’s interest.
“As I’ve said, threatening tariffs on allies is the wrong thing to do. Completely wrong. A trade war is not in our interests. And therefore, my first task is to ensure we don’t get to that place, which is what I’m focused on.”
Keir Starmer
Trump said on Saturday that he would charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations, including the UK, because of their opposition to American control of Greenland, setting up a potentially dangerous test of US partnerships in Europe.
Greenland is a semi autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. The President indicated that the tariffs were retaliation for last week’s deployment of symbolic numbers of troops from the European countries to Greenland, which he has said was essential for the “Golden Dome” missile defense system for the US. He also has argued that Russia and China might try to take over the island.
Starmer, who has worked to forge a strong relationship with Trump, said that the UK-US relationship was vital and “we are determined to keep that relationship strong, constructive and focused on results.” However, he said that that doesn’t mean pretending differences don’t exist.
He said at the news conference in London that “being pragmatic does not mean being passive and partnership does not mean abandoning principles.”
Nonetheless, seeking to calm the turmoil, Starmer said that Britain will work with allies in Europe, NATO and the United States and “keep dialogue open.”
Six of the eight countries targeted are part of the 27-member European Union, which operates as a single economic zone in terms of trade.
Starmer Calls For Calm Discussion
Moreover, Starmer urged that on Greenland, the right way to approach an issue of this seriousness is through calm discussion between allies.
“And let’s be clear, the security of Greenland matters, and it will matter more as climate change reshapes the Arctic, as sea routes open and strategic competition intensifies. The High North will require greater attention, greater investment and stronger collective defence.”
Keir Starmer
Additionally, he noted that the future of Greenland is for a matter for Denmark and Greenland to decide on their own.
“There is a principle here that cannot be set aside, because it goes to the heart of how stable and trusted international cooperation works.
“And so any decision about the future status of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone. That right is fundamental and we support it.”
Keir Starmer
European Council President, Antonio Costa said on Sunday that the bloc’s leaders expressed “readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion.” He is expected to convene a summit of the bloc’s leaders later this week.
Denmark’s Defense Minister and Greenland’s Foreign Minister are expected on Monday to meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Brussels, a meeting that was planned before the latest escalation.
In a statement beforehand, Danish Defense Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen said that Denmark and Greenland were “meeting broad support for NATO to do more in the Arctic” and would discuss that with Rutte.
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