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Sir Keir Starmer has firmly rejected pressure from former US President Donald Trump concerning the future of Greenland, following Trump’s sharp criticism directed at the UK’s agreement involving the Chagos Islands. Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer noted that Trump had attacked the Chagos deal despite previously expressing support, and accused him of using the issue to exert pressure on the UK regarding Greenland’s future. Trump has labeled the UK’s arrangement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back a critical military base as an “act of great stupidity.” Furthermore, he threatened to impose tariffs on European nations that resist his demand to take control of Greenland.
Addressing Parliament, Sir Keir emphasized that the fate of Greenland should be decided solely by the people of Greenland and Denmark, rejecting any interference from the United States. He announced plans to host Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at Downing Street, underlining the firm stance of the UK government. “President Trump deployed words on Chagos yesterday that were different to his previous words of welcome and support when I met him in the White House,” Starmer said. He stressed that Trump’s recent comments were aimed at pressuring him on his principles, but added, “He wants me to yield on my position, and I’m not going to do so.”
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed agreement with the Prime Minister’s approach to Greenland while sharing Trump’s criticism of the Chagos Islands deal. Badenoch described the pact as “terrible” and urged Starmer to cancel the agreement, suggesting that funds be redirected to strengthen the UK’s armed forces instead. During the session, Labour MP Steve Witherden called on Sir Keir to align with European allies and consider retaliatory tariffs against the US in response to Trump’s stance on Greenland. Witherden described Trump as a “thug” who would continue to harm British interests regardless of the UK’s response.
Other political leaders also voiced their views in the ongoing controversy. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused Trump of behaving like “a crime boss running a protection racket,” and urged the Prime Minister to join international leaders in taking a firmer stand. Trump, who has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on European countries starting February, has ruled out military action over Greenland but warned of potential force if necessary. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Trump made these remarks, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage contended that while US control of Greenland might enhance global security, respect for Greenland’s self-determination remains paramount. Chancellor Rachel Reeves maintained that the UK would not be coerced by tariff threats, emphasizing the government’s economic strategy and the resilience of a prospective US-UK trade deal. Despite the dispute, Downing Street reaffirmed support from the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance for the Chagos Islands agreement, which involves a £3.4 billion deal allowing the UK to retain access to the Diego Garcia military base. However, the legislation finalizing this deal remains stalled amid disagreements between Parliament’s two houses.
Trump escalated his criticism via social media, calling the UK’s plan to hand over Diego Garcia to Mauritius “total weakness” and warned that global competitors such as China and Russia were taking note. He reiterated that this perceived “stupidity” heightened the importance of acquiring Greenland. Ahead of his appearance at Davos, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly accused the UK of “letting us down” by moving ahead with the Chagos arrangement, which the US has relied upon for many years. Bessent also acknowledged unresolved issues in the UK-US trade negotiations, stating that no further talks were currently scheduled
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