By Ahmed J Versi
London (The Muslim News): Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, warned of a “serious crisis in transatlantic relations” on Monday as he criticised proposed US tariffs linked to Britain’s stance on Greenland, while insisting the dispute must be resolved through calm diplomacy rather than retaliation.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference early today, Starmer said the imposition of tariffs on the UK would be “completely wrong” and “not a good thing”, stressing that trade measures against allies risked damaging British workers, businesses and the wider economy. He ruled out retaliatory tariffs and confirmed that King Charles’s planned visit to the United States would go ahead.
The Prime Minister acknowledged clear differences between London and Washington over Greenland but said economic pressure was not the answer. He sought to allay any misunderstanding in the US administration, making clear that the UK’s decision to send troops to Greenland was driven by concerns about Russia and wider Arctic security, not by any hostile intent towards the United States.
“The security of Greenland matters, and it will matter more as climate change reshapes the Arctic,” Starmer said, pointing to opening sea routes and intensifying strategic competition in the High North. He underlined that the UK stood ready to contribute to collective defence alongside allies through NATO, with the US playing a central role.
However, Starmer was firm on what he described as a fundamental principle: any decision about Greenland’s future “belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone”. Denmark, he noted, is a close ally of both the UK and the US, and alliances endure only when they are built on respect and partnership rather than pressure.
Setting the dispute in a broader context, the Prime Minister said the world had become “markedly more turbulent” in recent weeks and argued that mature alliances required addressing differences directly and respectfully. He highlighted the depth of the UK-US relationship, citing hundreds of billions of pounds of US investment into the British economy, close cooperation on defence, nuclear capability and intelligence, and what he described as good trading terms in key sectors including cars, steel, aerospace and life sciences.
Starmer said he spoke regularly with President Trump and that his team was in daily contact with senior figures in the US administration. He revealed that over the past 24 hours he had also spoken to European leaders and NATO Secretary General to seek a solution “rooted in partnership, facts and mutual respect”.
During questions, Starmer reiterated that a trade war was in no one’s interest and said his overriding duty was to act in the UK’s national interest. He dismissed calls for tougher action against Washington as “gesture politics” that might generate headlines but would do nothing to protect jobs or livelihoods.
The Prime Minister also touched on other foreign policy challenges. He welcomed President Trump’s focus on sustaining the ceasefire in Gaza and moving to a second phase, saying the UK was open to participating constructively. On Ukraine, he said Britain strongly supported efforts to secure a ceasefire and would work closely with the US and allies to apply pressure “where it belongs: on Putin”.
Starmer concluded by linking foreign policy directly to domestic concerns, arguing that global instability feeds through to higher energy prices, food costs and economic insecurity at home. He said his government’s approach combined active government at home with strong alliances and steady diplomacy abroad, all aimed at protecting living standards and security for ordinary people.
“This is a moment for the whole country to pull together,” he said, welcoming cross-party support on Greenland and tariffs. “We will work with our allies, keep dialogue open, defend international law, and use the full strength of government to protect the British people.”
“That,” Starmer added, “is the responsibility this moment demands.”
[Photo: Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference to discuss US tariffs, International Affairs and the cost of living on 19 January from 9 Downing Street. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street]
