Starmer Warns Against “Self-Defeating” Trade War Following Trump’s Greenland Threats

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a sharp rebuke of President Trump’s plan to levy tariffs on European allies, calling the move “completely wrong.” The statement comes after Trump threatened a 10% import tax on UK and EU goods as leverage to force a sale of Greenland.

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The Conflict at a Glance

The “Greenland Tariff” is the latest flashpoint in a rapidly cooling relationship between the White House and its traditional Atlantic partners.

Feature	Details
The Deadline	Tariffs scheduled to begin February 1, 2026.
The Escalation	Tax increases to 25% on June 1 if no purchase deal is reached.
Target Nations	UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Finland.
U.S. Goal	Securing Greenland for the “Golden Dome” missile defense system.

Starmer’s Stance: Diplomacy Over Retaliation

While the Prime Minister was firm in his disapproval, his tone remained measured to avoid a total diplomatic breakdown:

• Rejection of Pressure: Starmer insisted that trade policy should not be used as a weapon to seize sovereign territory.
• Support for Sovereignty: He maintained that Greenland’s status remains a decision for Denmark and the Greenlandic people.
• Cooler Heads: For now, the UK is holding back on “tit-for-tat” retaliatory tariffs, with Starmer emphasizing that “a trade war serves no one’s interest.”

Why This Matters

If these tariffs take effect, economists warn of a significant spike in prices for British consumers on imported electronics, cars, and luxury goods. Conversely, UK exports to the U.S.—the nation’s largest single trading partner—could become prohibitively expensive, threatening thousands of manufacturing jobs.