Keir Starmer aligned Britain firmly with European opposition to American economic coercion, telling Donald Trump that tariffs targeting NATO allies over Greenland are unacceptable. The Prime Minister’s weekend diplomatic efforts reflected growing European alarm at Washington’s willingness to weaponize trade relationships against military partners.
The diplomatic crisis originated from Trump’s announcement of potential sanctions against eight European countries that sent military personnel to Greenland following US pressure on Denmark. Starmer’s Sunday outreach included conversations with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as leaders sought to coordinate their response.
Throughout his consultations, Starmer maintained that high north security cooperation benefits all NATO members working to protect Euro-Atlantic interests. His characterization of tariffs against allies pursuing collective security goals as fundamentally wrong signals Britain’s firm alignment with European partners in challenging Trump’s methods.
A collective statement from the targeted European nations characterized Trump’s threats as undermining the foundation of transatlantic relations and creating risks of escalating tensions. Under the proposed timeline, 10% tariffs would take effect February 1st, potentially rising to 25% by early summer if negotiations over Greenland don’t produce results satisfactory to Washington.
While Starmer’s Monday emergency statement will express clear British opposition, he won’t announce retaliatory tariffs. Government strategists believe the Prime Minister’s unexpectedly positive relationship with Trump might enable quiet negotiations to resolve the crisis, avoiding damaging economic warfare between longtime military partners.