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Starmer urges calm and unity in the face of Trump´s Greenland threats

PA Media

Sir Keir Starmer used a Downing Street press conference to respond to Donald Trump´s actions.

Received: 09:45:53 on 19th January 2026

Sir Keir Starmer urged the whole country to unite in the face of Donald Trump’s threats to invade Greenland and slap tariffs on the UK and other European allies.

The Prime Minister said the dispute over Greenland, which the US president wants to take over because of its strategic Arctic location and mineral wealth, should be resolved through “calm discussion between allies” rather than military action or a trade war.

In an emergency address from Downing Street, Sir Keir said the crisis was a “moment for the whole country to pull together”.

Mr Trump said he would charge the UK a 10% tariff “on any and all goods” sent to the US from February 1, increasing to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

He has not ruled out military action to achieve his aim of taking the territory, which is a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark.