British Prime Minister Stands Firm Against U.S. Tariff Threats Over Greenland
In a defiant stance against economic coercion, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly declared that he will not back down in the face of tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump concerning Greenland. During a session of Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Starmer emphasized that applying economic pressure on allies is completely wrong and that Britain will not compromise its core values and principles under such threats.
Starmer's Unyielding Position on Greenland's Future
Prime Minister Starmer made it clear that any decision regarding Greenland's future belongs solely to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. He stated, "I will not yield, Britain will not yield on our values and principles about the future of Greenland." Starmer accused Trump of using harsh language to pressure him into changing his position, but he reiterated that the UK government would continue to engage constructively while maintaining its stance absolutely clear.
This response comes after President Trump announced on Saturday that the United States would impose tariffs on goods from several European countries, including Britain, over the Greenland issue. Specifically:
- A 10 percent tariff on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland, effective February 1.
- An increase to 25 percent tariffs starting June 1.
- These tariffs would persist until a deal is reached for the U.S. to purchase Greenland, as Trump stated on social media.
Chagos Islands Controversy Adds to Tensions
In addition to the Greenland dispute, Starmer highlighted Trump's criticism of Britain's agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. He noted that this marked a shift from Trump's earlier supportive remarks during their White House meeting. The Chagos Islands have a complex history:
- They were separated from Mauritius in 1965 when Mauritius was a British colony.
- Britain invited the U.S. to build a military base there, leading to the displacement of thousands of residents.
- In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that Britain had illegally split the islands and should relinquish control.
- Last year, Starmer signed an agreement transferring sovereignty to Mauritius, with a leaseback arrangement for the Diego Garcia military base to Britain and the U.S.
On Tuesday, Trump accused Britain of "great stupidity" over this decision, further escalating tensions between the two nations. Starmer's firm response underscores the growing rift in UK-US relations, as he stands by principles of sovereignty and international law amidst rising diplomatic pressures.
