British Prime Minister Denounces Trump Greenland Tariff Threat

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump tariff threat Going against allies over Greenland is “completely wrong” and a trade war is in no one’s interest.

Trump said on Saturday that he would impose a 10 percent import tax on imported goods starting in February. eight European countriesIncluding England due to its opposition. American control of GreenlandIt poses a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe. Greenland is a semi-autonomous region of NATO ally Denmark.

The President stated that the tariffs were in retaliation for last week’s implementation of nominal taxes. Soldiers from European countries He also argued that Russia and China might try to capture Greenland, which he said was essential for the US’s “Golden Dome” missile defense system.

Starmer said Britain supported Greenland and Denmark’s “fundamental right” to decide the future of the Arctic island.

Starmer, who has worked to build a strong relationship with Trump, said the UK-US relationship was vital and “we are determined to keep this relationship strong, constructive and focused on results”. However, he said this does not mean that differences should be treated as if they do not exist.

“Being pragmatic does not mean being passive, and partnership does not mean giving up principles,” he said at a press conference in London. But trying to calm the chaos, Starmer said the UK would work with its allies in Europe, NATO and the US and “keep the dialogue open”.

He stated that the UK does not plan to consider retaliatory tariffs. “We haven’t gotten to that stage. My focus is to make sure we don’t get to that stage,” he said.

Six of the eight countries targeted are part of the 27-member European Union, which operates as a single economic zone for trade.

European Council President Antonio Costa said on Sunday that the bloc’s leaders had expressed “their readiness to defend ourselves against any pressure.” It is expected to hold a summit with the participation of bloc leaders later this week.

Denmark’s defense minister and Greenland’s foreign minister are expected to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels on Monday; This meeting was planned before the latest tension.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in an earlier statement that Denmark and Greenland “face broad support for NATO to do more in the Arctic” and that they would discuss the issue with Rutte.