Could the King cancel his visit to the US over Trump’s tariff threats?
Sir Keir Starmer avoided answering questions about whether King Charles’ expected state visit to the US in April could be canceled amid rising tensions over President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
The US president threatened Britain, Denmark and other European countries that oppose the American takeover of Greenland with a 10 percent tariff. The UK will impose a 10 percent customs duty on “all kinds of goods” sent to the USA as of February 1; This tax will be increased to 25 percent starting June 1 until an agreement is reached on Washington’s purchase of Greenland from Denmark.
Questions were raised at the weekend about how Britain might respond and whether this could include the King withdrawing from a state visit due in April. The King’s trip was supposed to be part of a campaign to revive the trade deal with the US after promised American investment by technology companies into Britain was paused. The Times.
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said on social media: “The Prime Minister must tell Trump in no uncertain terms that there will be no state visit to the US in April if he continues to impose these outrageous tariffs and bully Greenland. The UK should not be a usurper’s doormat or reward Trump’s behavior with the ostentation he desires.”
Speaking at an urgent press conference on Monday, Sir Keir said it was “completely wrong” to use tariffs against allies, adding that it was “not the right way to resolve differences with an alliance”. He refuted the idea of retaliatory tariffs and added that a trade war is in no one’s interest.
When asked whether the King would recommend a state visit to the United States, the prime minister confirmed only that it was important to continue to work with the United States on defence, intelligence and security, which “requires us to have good relations with the United States.”
He added that this did not mean Britain should act as if it had no differences of opinion with Washington.
“There is a principle here that cannot be set aside, because it underpins how stable and reliable international cooperation works,” he said, adding that any decisions regarding the future status of Greenland “belong solely to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.”
The state visit will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US declaration of independence from Britain; This is Queen Elizabeth II. It will be the first visit by a British monarch since Elizabeth accepted George W. Bush’s invitation in 2007.
King Charles played a vital role in easing relations between Britain and Trump. The US leader arrived on an unprecedented second state visit to the UK last year; This visit was interpreted by commentators as a move aimed at appeasing Joe Biden as he returned to the White House after his duty in the Oval Office and ensuring that British-American relations continue smoothly.
Trump has made no secret of his love for the royal family, saying one of his first memories was watching his late mother Mary, who grew up in the Hebrides, being entranced by the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on reported plans for a state visit, but Independent We understand that any state visit will take place at the request of the government and will normally be announced.
