It comes as tensions heat up over Greenland
Keir Starmer will give an emergency press conference this morning concerning Donald Trump’s tariffs and the ongoing tensions over Greenland.
It comes after Donald Trump announced plans on Saturday (17 January) to impose extra tariffs on the UK and other European countries unless a deal is reached over Greenland.
He said the tariffs will begin on February 1 and will remain in place until “such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland”.
He announced that the plans will include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, and that they will be “charged a 10 per cent tariff” on “all and any” goods sent to the US.
Trump says this tariff will then increase to 25 per cent on June 1.
A 10 per cent tariff on UK goods entering the US would mean something that was imported that used to cost $10 would now cost $11. Companies may choose to pass this extra charge onto their customers, which can in turn affect demand for foreign goods in domestic markets.
This news came after Europe sent a small envoy of military personnel to Greenland in line with Danish plans for a “larger and more permanent” NATO presence on the island.
The group consisted of 13 Germans, 15 French mountain specialists, one navy officer from the Netherlands, two military liaison officers from Finland, three officers from Sweden and two from Norway.
The UK sent one British officer to join a reconnaissance group.
Now, it has been revealed that Keir Starmer will give an emergency press conference this morning (19 January) in response to Trump’s tariffs.
The conference will take place at No.10 and will address the disagreements over Greenland and tariffs posed on “allies”.
This comes after the British PM gave a rare public criticism of the US president, describing the tariffs as “completely wrong”.
The emergency speech will pull rank on a cost of living speech in the North West intended for this morning.
Yesterday, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK released a statement in response to Donald Trump.
It read: “As members of Nato, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise Arctic Endurance conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone.
“We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.
“Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”
Since returning to office at the start of 2025, Donald Trump has been pressing for the acquisition of the icy territory.
Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the US “needs” Greenland for “national security”.
This is the main narrative behind the threats that, by acquiring the territory, the US could expand military operations in the name of fending off Russia and China.
Many people believe the real reason Trump wants Greenland is for its resources which include rare earth minerals, uranium, iron, zinc, lead, gold, copper, and potentially oil.
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