UK Prime Minister Condemns Trump’s Tax Threats Over Greenland Dispute

LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday denounced threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump to impose new taxes on allied nations, including the United Kingdom, over Greenland, calling such measures “wrong” and a risk to alliance relations.

Starmer spoke at a press conference at Downing Street amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the United States and NATO allies. Trump had threatened a 10% tariff on countries opposing his proposal for the U.S. to acquire Greenland and warned that NATO allies could face tax increases of up to 25% starting June 1 if agreements were not reached.

The Prime Minister’s office said Starmer told Trump directly that such threats were unacceptable and jeopardized alliance solidarity. Several allied nations, including the U.K., issued a joint statement reaffirming full support for Denmark and the people of Greenland.

Standing alongside Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, Starmer emphasized that Greenland’s future is a matter for its people and Denmark alone. “Alliance relations endure when based on respect and cooperation, not coercion,” he said.

Starmer also underscored the longstanding partnership between Britain and the United States, saying disputes could be resolved without resorting to trade warfare. “Such measures serve no one’s interests,” he added.

Meanwhile, some U.K. lawmakers, including Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey, called for reconsideration of the planned state visit of the British monarch to the U.S. if Washington continued its tax threats. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, however, downplayed the calls, stressing that the relationship between the two countries extends beyond a single political issue.

GAROWE ONLINE