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Keir Starmer has condemned Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on European allies over Greenland, calling it “completely wrong” and harmful to NATO’s collective security.
People attend a protest against Trump’s demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the US (Photo: Reuters)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump over his threat to impose tariffs on European allies amid a growing dispute over Greenland, calling such a move “completely wrong” and warning that it undermines NATO’s collective security.
According to a Reuters report, Starmer spoke to Trump on Sunday after holding separate phone calls with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
A Downing Street spokesperson said that in all his conversations, Starmer reiterated Britain’s position on Greenland and stressed that security in the High North was a shared priority for all NATO allies in order to protect Euro-Atlantic interests.
Starmer’s remarks come after Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on a number of European countries, including the UK, in response to opposition to his push for the United States to acquire Greenland, an autonomous Arctic territory that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Starmer described the threatened tariffs as “completely wrong” and said London would raise the issue directly with the US administration.
“Our position on Greenland is very clear. It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes,” Starmer said in a statement released by 10 Downing Street.
He added that Arctic security was not a narrow national concern but one that affected the whole of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
“We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic,” he said.
“Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will, of course, be pursuing this directly with the US administration,” he added.
Trump has warned that from February 1, Washington could impose tariffs of 10 per cent on goods imported from the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.
He has also said the tariffs could rise as high as 25 per cent unless a deal is reached over Greenland.
The threat followed a post by Trump on his Truth Social platform in which he said it was time for “Denmark to give back” Greenland, claiming “world peace is at stake”.
The dispute has prompted a strong reaction across Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the tariff threat as “unacceptable”, while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said European allies would not be “blackmailed”.
Von der Leyen warned that tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a “dangerous downward spiral”.
In a related development, European Union ambassadors on Sunday reached a broad agreement on stepping up efforts to dissuade Trump from going ahead with the tariffs, while also preparing retaliatory measures should the duties be imposed.
EU leaders are due to discuss their options at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday.
Among the options under consideration is a package of tariffs on 93 billion euros worth of US imports that could automatically come into force after a suspension period.
Another possibility is the bloc’s so-far unused Anti-Coercion Instrument, which could restrict access to public tenders, investment or trade in services.
European Council President Antonio Costa said consultations among member states showed a strong commitment to support Denmark and Greenland and a readiness to defend against any form of coercion.
Frederiksen said she was encouraged by the unified messages from across the continent, adding, “Europe will not be blackmailed.”
January 19, 2026, 08:22 IST
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