Politics Home | Greenland’s Right To Decide Its Own Future “Cannot Be Set Aside”, Says Keir Starmer

Starmer said the use of tariffs against allies “is not the right way to resolve differences (Alamy)

3 min read19 January

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference on Monday morning, the Prime Minister said the use of tariffs against allies is “completely wrong” and “not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance, nor is it helpful to frame efforts to strengthen Greenland’s security as a justification for economic pressure”.

Trump argues that Denmark, which controls Greenland, cannot protect the land from threats like Russia and China, and insists that the US needs the territory for “national security”.

Over the weekend, the US President announced that he would impose tariffs on all goods from eight European countries, including the UK, unless they allowed him to take control of Greenland. Under Trump’s plan, the tariffs would come into effect at 10 per cent on 1 February, and rise to 25 per cent in June.

In an address to the nation this morning, Starmer called for “calm discussion” on the subject of Greenland, but stressed that the future of Greenland was a decision for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark “alone”.

“On Greenland, the right approach to an issue of this seriousness is through calm discussion among allies. Greenland matters. The High North will require greater investment and stronger collective defence. The US will be central to that effort, and the UK stands ready to contribute,” he said.

“But there is a principle here that cannot be set aside. Any decision about the future status of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone. That right is fundamental, and we support it.

“Denmark is a close ally of the UK. Alliances endure because they are built on respect and partnership, not pressure. That is why I said the use of tarfis against allies is completely wrong. It is not the right way to resolve differences.”

The Prime Minister said the introduction of tariffs on goods sent to the US would “hurt British workers, British businesses and the British economy”.

“And that is why I’ve been so clear on this issue: a trade war is in no one’s interest. And my job is always to act in the UK’s national interest.”

Asked whether he would consider retaliatory tariffs, Starmer said: “My first task is making sure we don’t get to that place.”

Trump sent a letter to Norway’s leader, Jonas Gahr Støre, over the weekend, telling him that “considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace”.

Asked on Monday whether he thought Trump was genuinely considering military action in his bid to control Greenland, Starmer said: “I don’t actually. I think that this can be resolved and should be resolved through calm discussion.”

Starmer said that while he would not hesitate to tell Trump where they disagree, the UK’s relationship with the US is too important, particularly in areas of defence and security, to weaken ties with Washington.