Sir Keir Starmer held an emergency speech over Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs as Europe and NATO are standing firm in protecting Greenland, as the US President has threatened military action on the Arctic island.
Trump has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on all European and UK exports from 1 February.
On Monday morning Starmer said in a televised address to the nation, “The UK and the US are close allies and close partners.
That relationship matters profoundly, not just to our security but to the prosperity and the stability that people here depend upon.
Under President Trump, as under previous presidents, we are determined to keep that relationship strong, constructive and focused on results.
He added: “Mature alliances are not about pretending differences don’t exist. They are about addressing them directly, respectfully and with a focus on results.
On Greenland, the right way to approach an issue of this seriousness is through calm discussion between allies.
Speaking about the threat of tariffs Starmer said this is a “moment for the whole country to pull together”.
The Prime Minister continued, “A partnership does not mean abandoning principle. That is why it’s important to be clear about who we stand with, what we stand for, and where our interests lie.
This is a moment for the whole country to pull together, so I warmly welcome the support we’ve had with regards to Greenland and the proposed tariffs from the Leader of the Opposition (Kemi Badenoch). I thank her for her support.
At moments like this, there will always be people who reach for the performative, who think an angry social media post or grandstanding is a substitute for hard work.
“That’s an understandable instinct, but it’s not effective. It never has been.”
Starmer said that Britain will not need to “choose between the US and Europe.”
