Keir Starmer Condemns Donald Trump – But UK Won't Retaliate Over Tariff Threats

Keir Starmer has condemned Donald Trump’s “completely wrong” threat to slap tariffs on Britain and seven other European countries over the future of Greenland – but insisted his government will not retaliate.

The prime minister said “a trade war is in no one’s interest” as he appeared to rule out the UK imposing its own import charges on American goods entering the country.

Starmer also defended his strategy of trying to remain close to Trump at an emergency Downing Street press conference.

“Britain is a pragmatic country: we look for agreement, we believe in partnership,” the PM said.

“We prefer solutions to slogans, and we will not indulge in commentary and gesture politics that harm the British people.

“But being pragmatic does not mean being passive, and partnership does not mean abandoning principle.

“That is why it’s important to be clear about who we stand with, what we stand for, and where our interests lie.

“This is a moment for the whole country to pull together.”

Trump announced on Saturday that America will impose a 10% import tax imposed on Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland from February 1.

That charge will rise to 25% on June 1 and remain in place until “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by America.

Starmer said: “Threatening tariffs on allies is the wrong thing to do – completely wrong – and a trade war is not in our interests, and therefore, my first task is to ensure that we don’t get to that place.

“I don’t want to lose sight of the central goal here, which is to avoid the seriousness that a trade war would bring.”

The PM said any ramping up of economic tensions between the UK and US would harm working people by putting up prices.

His stance puts him at odds with the European Union, which has hinted at retaliating against America if the tariffs are imposed.

Greenland has been a self-governing part of the kingdom of Denmark for more than 300 years.

But Trump has said that Russia and China will try to seize the Arctic island unless America takes it over.

In a statement on Sunday, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said: “I am pleased with the consistent messages from the rest of the continent: Europe will not be blackmailed.”

Starmer again reiterated the government’s position that decisions about the future of Greenland can only be taken by the people living there and Denmark.