UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that a trade war would serve “no one” after former US President Donald Trump threatened a 10% tax on imports from countries, including the UK, that oppose his plans to take control of Greenland.
He emphasized that decisions about Greenland should remain with the people of Greenland and Denmark.
Although the situation is serious, Starmer said he does not believe Trump is seriously considering military action against Greenland. He called for the UK to unite and respond thoughtfully during this critical moment.
The Prime Minister welcomed support from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on Greenland and potential trade issues.
Starmer defended his close relationship with Trump, highlighting that it has helped bring “hundreds of billions of pounds” in investment to the UK. He also stressed UK-US cooperation on defense, nuclear capabilities, and intelligence sharing.
On the question of retaliatory tariffs against the US, Starmer said the focus is on preventing escalation rather than taking punitive measures.
French President Emmanuel Macron suggested the EU could use a “trade bazooka” if needed, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that a trade war would harm everyone. Starmer has not yet confirmed whether he will attend Davos.
Over the weekend, a small French military contingent visited Greenland on a reconnaissance mission, joined by forces from Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the UK. Starmer clarified that the mission aimed to assess Russian risks and is not a threat to the US.
