Britain’s Prime Minister emerged as a leading voice in European resistance to American economic coercion, telling Donald Trump that tariffs against NATO allies over Greenland are unacceptable. Keir Starmer’s weekend diplomatic offensive reflected the seriousness with which European capitals view this unprecedented challenge to alliance solidarity.
The diplomatic crisis originated from Trump’s announcement of potential sanctions against eight European countries that sent military personnel to Greenland following US pressure on the territory. Starmer’s Sunday outreach included conversations with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as leaders sought to coordinate their response.
Throughout his consultations, Starmer maintained that high north security cooperation benefits all NATO members working to protect Euro-Atlantic interests. His assertion that using tariffs against allies pursuing collective security goals constitutes wrong policy signals Britain’s firm alignment with European partners in challenging Trump’s methods.
A collective statement from the targeted European nations characterized Trump’s threats as undermining the foundation of transatlantic relations and creating risks of escalating tensions. Under the proposed timeline, 10% tariffs would take effect February 1st, potentially rising to 25% by early summer if negotiations over Greenland don’t produce results satisfactory to Washington.
While Starmer’s Monday emergency statement will express clear British opposition, he won’t announce retaliatory tariffs. Government strategists believe the Prime Minister’s unexpectedly positive relationship with Trump might enable quiet negotiations to resolve the crisis, avoiding damaging economic warfare between longtime military partners.