A commerce warfare is “not the proper option to resolve variations” inside an alliance, Sir Keir Starmer has stated.
At a Downing Avenue press convention to handle the Greenland crisis, the prime minister appeared to rule out slapping the US with retaliatory tariffs.
Politics live: What does the UK do next on Greenland?
It comes after Donald Trump threatened the UK and different European nations with a ten% tariff on all items from February, growing to 25% from June, till a deal is reached for Washington to buy the self-autonomous Danish island.
Sir Keir stated utilizing tariffs towards allies is “fully improper” and “not the proper option to resolve variations”.
Nevertheless, requested by Sky Information’ political editor Beth Rigby if he’s planning retaliatory tariffs, Sir Keir stated: “A tariff warfare is not in anyone’s pursuits and due to this fact what I wish to do is to keep away from a tariff warfare as a result of it is going to be companies, staff and households throughout the nation that will likely be hit by a commerce warfare.”
He stated he’ll interact with European allies and with Mr Trump, including: “We should discover a pragmatic, smart, sustained means by way of this that avoids among the penalties that will likely be very severe for our nation.”
The US president has not dominated out navy motion to attain his intention of taking Greenland, which he needs due to its strategic Arctic location and mineral wealth.
Sir Keir stated he doesn’t suppose Mr Trump is genuinely contemplating that possibility, telling reporters: “I believe that this may be resolved and needs to be resolved by way of calm dialogue.”
The UK has insisted the US should not have any say in Greenland’s future, echoing Europe’s place.
Learn extra:
The misunderstanding that may have triggered Trump’s threat
Starmer begins pushback against Trump
In an announcement on Saturday night time, Mr Trump stated the tariffs “on any and all items” despatched to the US would hit the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.
Sir Keir responded on X, saying the choice was “fully improper” and reiterated his place that the way forward for Greenland is “a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes”.
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He additionally advised Mr Trump the tariffs had been improper in a subsequent telephone name on Sunday, the prime minister’s spokesperson stated.
Nevertheless, on the press convention on Monday, Sir Keir insisted the US “stays an in depth ally”.
He stated: “The US stays an in depth ally on defence, on safety and on intelligence, on nuclear functionality, we have labored very intently with the USA, and we mustn’t ever lose sight of our nationwide curiosity in that,” he stated.
“However we should get up for our values. We have to be clear in regards to the ideas that we’re making use of right here, and we’ll proceed to take action on the query of tariffs.”
