‘Completely Wrong’: UK PM Starmer Slams Trump’s Greenland Tariff Threat, Warns Against Trade War

Last Updated:January 19, 2026, 16:27 IST

Keir Starmer criticises Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on European allies over Greenland, urging diplomacy and support for Greenland and Denmark’s autonomy.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to the media in the briefing room of 9 Downing Street in central London, Britain, after U.S. president Donald Trump's threats to ramp up tariffs until a deal is reached for the US to buy Greenland. Picture date: Monday January 19, 2026. Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERS

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday criticised US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on European allies over Greenland, calling the move “completely wrong" and warning that a trade war would benefit no one, as reported by the Associated Press.

Trump said on Saturday that the United States would levy a 10% import tariff from February on goods from eight European countries, including the United Kingdom, accusing them of opposing American control of Greenland. Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and a part of the NATO alliance.

The US president framed the tariffs as retaliation for the recent deployment of symbolic troop contingents by several European countries to Greenland. Trump has argued that control of the Arctic island is critical for US missile defence plans and has repeatedly claimed that Russia and China could attempt to expand their influence there.

Speaking at a news conference in London, Starmer said Britain fully supports “the fundamental right" of Greenland and Denmark to determine the island’s future. While stressing the importance of maintaining strong ties with Washington, he said differences could not simply be ignored.

“The UK–US relationship is vital, and we are determined to keep it strong, constructive and focused on results," Starmer said. “But being pragmatic does not mean being passive, and partnership does not mean abandoning principles."

Seeking to ease tensions, Starmer said Britain would continue to work closely with allies in NATO, Europe and the United States, while keeping diplomatic channels open. He also indicated that London is not currently considering retaliatory tariffs. “We have not got to that stage. My focus is on making sure we don’t get to that stage," he said.

Six of the eight countries targeted by Trump’s proposed tariffs are members of the European Union, which negotiates trade policy collectively. European Council President Antonio Costa said on Sunday that EU leaders had expressed their “readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion," and he is expected to convene a summit later this week.

Meanwhile, Denmark’s Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and Greenland’s foreign minister were due to meet Mark Rutte in Brussels on Monday, in talks scheduled before the latest escalation. In a statement ahead of the meeting, Poulsen said Denmark and Greenland were seeing broad support within NATO for increased engagement in the Arctic and would discuss next steps with the alliance.

News world ‘Completely Wrong’: UK PM Starmer Slams Trump’s Greenland Tariff Threat, Warns Against Trade War

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