Starmer tells Trump to back off over threat of Greenland trade war

Source: The Independent

Monday 19 January 2026 14:34 EST


Sir Keir Starmer has stood up to Donald Trump and warned him that he is “completely wrong” to threaten tariffs against countries who oppose his attempt to take control of Greenland.

In his toughest message to the US president since the latter’s inauguration last year, Sir Keir denied that he had previously been too soft with Mr Trump and urged calm, warning that a trade war would “benefit nobody”. The prime minister’s message came amid fears that the UK and the EU could be plunged into recession by 10 per cent or even 25 per cent tariffs imposed by the US, with a hit to UK GDP of up to £22bn.

Mr Trump did little to quell global concerns by going on to hint strongly that he could order an invasion of Greenland, replying “No comment” when asked if he was prepared to go that far. Amid the growing crisis, Sir Keir dodged growing calls for the proposed visit by King Charles III to the US to mark the country’s 250th anniversary to be abandoned in protest at Mr Trump’s actions.

Sir Keir’s plea for calm came as EU leaders, led by French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz, took an even stronger approach, warning of counter-tariffs against the US economy if Mr Trump makes good on his threats.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/politics/starmer-trump-tariffs-trade-war-greenland-b2903405.html