Starmer Emergency Press Conference on Trump's Greenland tariffs threat

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:19:12 +0000

Sir Keir Starmer will speak at Downing Street after Donald Trump’s threats to ramp up tariffs until a deal is reached for the US to buy Greenland.

The Prime Minister has told the US president it is “wrong” to apply tariffs to the UK and other European allies opposing his efforts to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

It is understood that on Monday, the PM will set out the UK’s approach to working with allies and how the country will be “led by our values”.

He is also expected to speak about his determination to protect the British people’s security, living standards and future through his work at home and abroad.

The impromptu press conference comes amid rising global tensions as Trump continues to threaten tariffs against European allies.

On Saturday, the US president announced that the UK will be charged a 10% tariff “on any and all goods” sent to the US from February 1, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

Starmer told Donald Trump that “applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is wrong” in a telephone call on Sunday afternoon, Downing Street said.

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK, who have all been targeted in Trump's latest round of tariffs, issued a joint statement, showing a unified front, as European leaders warned “tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral."

Downing Street also confirmed the PM spoke with the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Nato Chief Mark Rutte.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “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.

“He also said that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is wrong.”

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