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David Lammy has revealed that Donald Trump reconsidered his aggressive stance on Greenland after the United Kingdom firmly defended the island’s sovereignty. Speaking to the BBC’s Nick Robinson on the program *Political Thinking*, Lammy explained that the US president “responded to our concerns” by stepping back from threats involving military intervention or economic sanctions aimed at gaining control over Greenland. Lammy noted that European nations are now engaged in negotiations, which aligns with their preferred diplomatic approach.
Trump’s withdrawal from the threat of military action came amid rising tensions that risked damaging relations with Denmark and NATO allies. Subsequently, he also abandoned plans to impose a 10% import tax on eight countries, including the UK, that had opposed his objectives concerning Greenland. This shift followed critiques from UK political figures such as Sir Keir Starmer, who condemned Trump’s remarks branding the UK’s decision over the Chagos Islands as an “act of great stupidity.” Starmer further voiced his firm support for the islanders’ right to self-determination, refusing to concede any ground to US pressure. Downing Street credited “serious behind-the-scenes diplomacy” for helping defuse the situation.
Lammy, who previously served as foreign secretary and holds close ties to US Vice-President JD Vance, expressed confidence that the US would never resort to military force over Greenland. He recalled that in January of the previous year he had stated Trump would avoid taking the island by force. According to Lammy, the recent de-escalation was due to the UK’s unequivocal stance on upholding international law and respecting NATO allies’ sovereignty. He underscored that Trump’s retreat from forceful tactics and threats of tariffs was a direct result of the United Kingdom and its European partners making their opposition “absolutely crystal clear.”
While affirming the enduring strength of the UK-US relationship, Lammy acknowledged evolving global dynamics that challenge traditional frameworks. The international landscape, he noted, is shifting towards one where powerful nations might leverage coercion rather than legal mechanisms to resolve disputes. He described this as a seismic change, declaring, “The tectonic plates have shifted. There is profound change.” Highlighting America’s growing focus on Asia, Lammy stressed that Europe will need to assume a more prominent leadership role within NATO throughout the coming century
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