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After a weekend marked by unusual diplomatic upheaval instigated by US President Donald Trump, the prime minister is set to address the public from Downing Street this morning. The UK faces a new challenge as Trump threatens to implement additional tariffs targeting the UK and several European allies, a move tied to his controversial interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.
Sir Keir Starmer is aware that the nation and business sectors will expect a clear response regarding these potential tariffs. Trump has declared his intention to impose new taxes on eight allied countries—Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK—beginning on February 1 if they resist his plans concerning Greenland. This has escalated tensions significantly. A seasoned observer of Western diplomacy commented, “This is extraordinary. We haven’t seen anything like this in 80 years. This is pure political coercion against Nato allies over the attempted seizing of a chunk of territory – it’s astonishing.”
In reaction to the developments, Sir Keir has emphasized that he considers the tariff threat a mistake, a point he reportedly conveyed directly to Trump during a phone call on Sunday. Prior to that conversation, Downing Street confirmed that Starmer had been in touch with the Danish prime minister, the European Commission president, and the NATO secretary general, illustrating the high-level diplomatic engagement underway. Despite the Labour party’s recognition that the UK’s central role in these discussions stems from their improved relations with the EU and attempts to maintain dialogue with the US administration, uncertainty remains about what actions the European allies might take next. Some express concern that any retaliatory measures could further damage relations with Washington and potentially harm Europe more than the US.
Attention now turns to whether an in-person meeting involving Trump and European leaders, perhaps at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, could alter the current stalemate. Meanwhile, officials at Downing Street and the Foreign Office continue an intensive round of communications, exploring possible responses. The repeated diplomatic crises emanating from the White House pose challenges for the prime minister, who has been trying to keep the focus on pressing domestic issues such as the rising cost of living. Notably, on two of the three Mondays this year, planned engagements outside London designed to highlight government support for citizens facing soaring bills were overshadowed by questions concerning international controversies, first involving Venezuela and now Greenland. A scheduled trip for today was subsequently canceled to address the weekend’s diplomatic fallout.
Starmer intends to argue at his news conference that domestic and international affairs are inseparable, asserting that being actively engaged and respected on the world stage is crucial for addressing the everyday concerns of millions of voters. This situation comes shortly after the prime minister and foreign secretary attended a significant commemoration near Downing Street—marking 80 years since the founding of the United Nations. The event reflected on the post-World War II era, when international institutions including the UN and Nato were established to promote stability and cooperation. However, shortly after this solemn gathering, the international order was disrupted anew by a social media declaration from Trump, which challenged the very diplomatic norms and conventions these organisations represent
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