Starmer plays down prospect of retaliatory tariffs on US over Greenland row

Keir Starmer has played down the prospect of retaliatory tariffs on the US after Donald Trump threatened fresh levies against Nato allies over Greenland. At an emergency press conference on Monday the prime minister said US tariffs would damage the British economy and were "in no one's interests." Starmer said the UK would prefer a "calm discussion" with allies and that he wanted to avoid a tariff war, telling reporters: "We have not got to that stage, and my focus therefore is making sure we don't get to that stage." He described the route through the row as needing to be "pragmatic, sensible and sustained," and said he did not think the US president was genuinely considering military action in Greenland.

Downing Street sources suggested Starmer had not yet ruled out tariffs completely and would assess the situation as it developed. The government is preparing for the possibility of a taxpayer-funded support package to try to shield British businesses if the US pushes ahead with its threats next month, and the business secretary said he had already spoken to Jaguar Land Rover about the tariff threats.

Trump has threatened a 10% levy on goods from the UK and seven other European countries from 1 February, rising to 25% by June; in an interview he declined to rule out seizing Greenland while insisting he would "100%" push ahead with his tariff plans.

Key Topics

Politics, Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, Greenland, Tariffs, Jaguar Land Rover