British PM Starmer tells Trump tariffs on allies over Greenland are ‘wrong’

LONDON - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to US President Donald Trump on Jan 18 after talking to the leaders of Denmark, the European Union and NATO, to say he believed “applying tariffs on allies
for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is wrong”.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Mr Starmer held phone calls with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte. He then spoke to Mr Trump.

“In all his calls, the Prime Minister reiterated his position on Greenland. He said that security in the High North is a priority for all NATO allies in order to protect Euro-Atlantic interests,” the spokesperson said.

Mr Starmer said on Jan 19 that calm discussion between allies was needed on Greenland to ensure that historic alliances could endure, after Mr Trump threatened allies with tariffs to secure the territory.

Mr Starmer told a press conference on Jan 19 that Britain’s alliance with the United States had provided security and prosperity for decades, and said he was determined to maintain those ties.

But he said Mr Trump’s threats to impose escalating tariffs on Britain and European allies until the US was allowed to buy Greenland was wrong. He said the future of Greenland must be decided by Denmark alone.

“Alliances endure because they’re built on respect and partnership, not pressure,” Mr Starmer said.

“That is why I’ve said the use of tariffs against allies is completely wrong. It is not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance.”

He said on Greenland: “the right way to approach an issue of this seriousness is through calm discussion between allies”. REUTERS