Trump tariffs: Keir Starmer’s tense secret call to Trump as tariffs row explodes | UK | News
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told Donald Trump it was “wrong” to impose tariffs on allies to ensure NATO’s collective security. In a phone call this afternoon, the Prime Minister opposed the US President’s plan to impose trade penalties on the UK as a tool to pressure a deal for Greenland. Downing Street confirmed that Starmer used the call to reiterate that security in the High North remains a priority for all allies to protect Euro-Atlantic interests.
The diplomatic standoff comes after Trump announced he would impose a 10 per cent tariff on UK goods from February 1. The US administration has warned that these duties will rise to 25 percent from June 1 unless an agreement is reached for Washington to buy Greenland from Denmark. The President linked trade barriers to his desire to seize Arctic territory, while the UK government argued that the island’s sovereignty was not subject to negotiation, PA reported.
He said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland. No 10 said Sir Keir had several phone calls, including to the US president, on Sunday afternoon.
He also met with Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and NATO chief Mark Rutte.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has reiterated his position on Greenland in all his appeals.
“Security in the High North is a priority for all NATO allies in order to protect Euro-Atlantic interests,” he said.
“He also said it was wrong to impose tariffs on allies to ensure the collective security of NATO allies.”
