Keir Starmer says Trump’s threat to impose tariffs over Greenland ‘completely wrong’

The Guardian ^ | Sat 17 Jan 2026 | Geraldine McKelvie and Jakub Krupa

[MinorityRepublican]

Keir Starmer has said Donald Trump’s decision to impose 10% tariffs on the UK and seven other European countries over Greenland was “completely wrong”.

The US president said the levies would apply from 1 February to Nato members – including the UK, France and Germany – who have deployed troops to the territory in response to growing uncertainty over its future.

Trump said the tariffs would rise to 25% on 1 June if a deal to buy Greenland had not been reached.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said: “Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown … This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.”

The prime minister said on Saturday evening: “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.

“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.

“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.”

Opposition politicians also condemned Trump’s threats.

The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said: “President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland.

“These tariffs will be yet another burden for businesses across our country. The sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by the people of Greenland.”

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “Starmer’s US policy lies in tatters. Trump is now punishing the UK and Nato allies just for doing the right thing.

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TOPICS: European Union; Foreign Affairs; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: 5thcolumnonfr; cryharder; eurotrash; euroweenies; frtraitorslist; heisright; minorityrepublican; returnthesausages; tariffs; twotierkeir; zot

[Williams]

As was placing troops on Greenland to confront the United States.

Stupid arrogant European jackasses.

Go ahead hold onto Greenland for friggin Denmark and screw up NATO from top to bottom.

What they’re really doing is trying to stir up nationalism because their people are rejecting them.

[Williams]

Wants the 10 people in Greenland to decide, so they can choose Russia or China.

idiots.

[lightman]

Who cares what the Wanker thinks?

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

Starmer and the Labour Party care so-o-o-o much about democracy that they too — along with other Europeans — have been cancelling elections.

[MinorityRepublican]

The Europeans are making it difficult to advocate that we should continue to support Ukraine. Most Americans feel that it is not our problem because it is an European problem.

The Ukrainian army will collapse in six months if we decide to halt our shipments of weapons.

Putin probably knows this so he is realizing that he has the advantage now.

[rolling_stone]

hey keir you have enough troubles stfu

[mythenjoseph]

Never thought I would ever despise a British Prime minister . This demonic man allows his own nation to implode under his direct supervision. He and the British in control really need to be incarcerated and hung for treason.

[Colorado Doug]

Applying tariffs on allies

What allies are these you speak of Cur?

[niteowl77]

"Controlled opposition politicians also condemned Trump’s threats."

Fixed it.

[dragnet2]

Ya, lets listen to Starmer’s advice...Since he dumped tens of thousands of Muslims into the UK, he’s probably the one we should be listening to. And look how loved he is by his own people!

[Miami Rebel]

“As was placing troops on Greenland to confront the United States.”

If we place US troops in Poland, are they confronting Russia?

[skimbell]

[albie]

STFU Keir dear

[TheDon]

“As was placing troops on Greenland to confront the United States.”

Laughable. How many US troops are stationed in Europe?

[greenbrier]

As wrong as the colonialist power of Denmark holding onto their territorial claims?

This game is fun!

[toddausauras]

Fu’k you Harmer. Your ppl hate your guts you have less than zero leverage here.

[hal ogen]

Isn’t this pencil necked goof despised by the English? He is an absolute fool.

[farmguy]

We should also cut off funding to NATO.

[Robert DeLong]

He just doesn't like that he is falling, and nothing can save him from that fall. I especially liked Germany's response of deploying a 13-member reconnaissance team to Greenland at the request of Denmark. Instead of fighting this, they should be mebracing this. It will benefit them more than it does currently. But they don't because it embarreses them that they are so dependent upon the U.S. On the flip side though, they get mad at us when we refuse to hto do it for thm, and they realize there is nothing they can do other than try to shame us into doing it for them. That no longer works, when the U.S. leader is a strong person who cannot be shamed into doing their bidding.

That is why they hate Trump. He forces them to face the reality of their actual impotence, and they react with anger, but not enough anger to motivate them to turn that reality around which is what Trump really wants then to do. For a weak Europe is of no help whatsoever. In fact, it remains a burden. Either join the plan or fall further behind is my advice to you Europe. We do not want to be an Empire with you as our subjects. We prefer that you become a coompliment in partnership.

As much as I love Nigel Farage, he too displays his weaknesses in plain sight. Hopefully once he gets elected he will rise to the occasion. He is still the best option for England. If successful, that will completely change all of Europe for the better.

I pray that happens.