Keir Starmer begs Donald Trump for ‘calm discussions’ over Greenland
Sir Keir Starmer has said he does not believe Donald Trump is prepared to use military force to seize Greenland.
Speaking at an emergency Downing Street press conference, the Prime Minister labelled the US president’s threat to impose tariffs on the UK ‘completely wrong’ and instead called for ‘calm discussions’.
Sir Keir said ‘economic pressure’ was ‘not the right way to resolve differences’ over Greenland as he appeared to rule out imposing retaliatory tariffs on the US.
Addressing the nation after a phone call with Trump yesterday, he told reporters that the future of Greenland was up to Greenlanders and the Kingdom of Denmark.
Trump announced last week that he would place 10% tariffs on the UK, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.
He said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.
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Speaking to reporters this morning, Sir Keir said tariffs would hurt British workers, businesses and the British economy.
He said: ‘The use of tariffs against allies is completely wrong.
‘It is not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance, nor is it helpful to frame efforts to strengthen Greenland security as a justification for economic pressure.’
The prime minister appeared to reject the idea of hitting back with retaliatory tariffs against the US.
He said: ‘A tariff war is in nobody’s interest.
‘We have not got to that stage, my focus is making sure we don’t get to that stage.’
Asked if he genuinely believed the US President was considering military action if he didn’t get his way, the Prime Minister replied: ‘I don’t actually.
‘I think that this can be resolved and should be resolved through calm discussion, but with the application of the principles and values that I’ve set out in terms of who decides the future of Greenland, and making clear that the use of tariffs in this way is completely wrong.’
In a phone call with Trump yesterday, Downing Street said the Prime Minister reiterated his belief that Greenland’s future was for Denmark and Greenland to decide.
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He also stressed that the security in the High North is a priority for all Nato allies.
Sir Keir also held calls on Sunday with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Nato chief Mark Rutte.
In a joint statement warning about the potential impact of such a move, theeight affected NATO countries warned Trump’s actions could create a ‘dangerous downward spiral’.
They said: ‘We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.
‘Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.
‘Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.’
Why does Donald Trump want Greenland?
Trump has never been shy about his desire to claim Greenland for his own, claiming the island is vital for American national security.
Greenland sits in the Arctic Circle, where world powers have for years been jostling for military control – the US has a missile defence base on it.
By seizing the island, Washington says it would have an outpost between the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic.
As climate change melts the Arctic icecaps, the once nearly impossible-to-navigate ocean is becoming more alluring.
The country also has large amounts of rare minerals used to make essentials like batteries, phones and vehicles. It may also have pools of oil and gas, though scientists warn it’s too risky to dig for them.
The statement also pushes back against Trump’s claim that a small, newly announced joint exercise in Greenland means the Nato allies are ‘playing a very dangerous game’.
It says: ‘As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest.
‘The pre-coordinated Danish exercise “Arctic Endurance“ conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone.’
Greenland’s mass protest
Greenlanders held a mass protest on Saturday, declaring their home is ‘not for sale’.
A huge crowd of angry locals held signs and waved their national flag in the capital, Nuuk.
The US President has long declared his intention to seize the mineral-rich self-governing Danish territory, saying the region is crucial for US national security.
Trump ratcheted up the language on Saturday, writing on his Truth Social page: ‘We have subsidised Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration.
‘Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!’
Despite Trump’s pestering, Denmark and other European leaders have repeatedly stressed that the sparsely populated island is not for sale.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned any military attack on Greenland – which Trump has refused to rule out – could spell the end of Nato.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
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