PM Asserts Independence from Trump’s Greenland Pressure

Sir Keir Starmer firmly stated he would not submit to Donald Trump’s insistence regarding Greenland’s future, following the US president’s criticism of the UK’s agreement concerning the Chagos Islands.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir remarked that Trump had denounced the Chagos arrangement despite having previously expressed support for it, claiming it was an attempt to exert influence over him and the UK regarding his principles on Greenland.

On Tuesday, Trump labeled the UK’s decision to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back a crucial military facility as an “act of great stupidity.” He further threatened to enforce tariffs on European nations opposing his demands for control over Greenland.

Sir Keir emphasized to Members of Parliament that the destiny of Greenland belongs solely to its inhabitants and the Kingdom of Denmark, announcing that he would welcome Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to Downing Street on Thursday.

“The words President Trump used regarding Chagos yesterday contrasted sharply with his previous welcoming remarks during my visit to the White House,” he stated.

He continued, “His comments were intended to pressure me and the UK regarding my stance on Greenland’s future.” The Prime Minister reiterated, “I refuse to concede my position on this matter.”

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, expressed her alignment with the Prime Minister’s stance on Greenland, but concurred with Trump about the misguided nature of the Chagos Islands agreement. “We didn’t need President Trump to highlight that; we have been voicing our concerns for a year,” she stated, urging the Prime Minister to abandon the agreement and invest in the armed forces instead.

Later, Labour MP Steve Witherden called on Sir Keir to unite with European allies and impose retaliatory tariffs against the US over Greenland. “The bully in the White House ignores flattery and compliance,” he warned, asserting that Trump would continue to jeopardize British interests.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticized Trump for behaving like a crime boss involved in a protection racket, calling on the Prime Minister to stand alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in taking a stronger position against the US leader.

Trump has announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on European countries, including the UK, beginning February 1, unless they acquiesce to his Greenland acquisition demands. However, he has dismissed the idea of using military force to take the territory.

During his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump remarked, “We likely won’t achieve anything unless I opt for excessive force, which would make us unstoppable. But I prefer not to resort to force; I don’t want to use it, and I won’t.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves also addressed the Davos audience, asserting that the UK would not be swayed by tariff threats. She emphasized that the UK has a solid economic strategy to navigate tough times and that a trade agreement with the US would remain intact.

Downing Street has refrained from confirming that the US no longer supports the UK’s Chagos Islands agreement, stating instead that “our Five Eyes allies back it,” referring to the intelligence-sharing alliance comprising the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.

In May, the UK signed a £3.4 billion ($4.6 billion) deal, which would allow it to maintain control over a US-UK military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands. Government officials assert that this agreement is critical for establishing a legal foundation for the operations of the strategically significant Diego Garcia facility.

However, legislative efforts to finalize the deal are currently entangled in disputes between the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

On Tuesday, Trump voiced his concerns on his Truth Social platform, stating, “It is shocking that our ‘brilliant’ NATO ally, the United Kingdom, is planning to relinquish control of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital US military base, to Mauritius for no valid reason whatsoever. China and Russia are undoubtedly taking note of this display of weakness.”

He cited this decision as a justification for his ongoing interest in acquiring Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. “The UK giving away such crucial land is a significant act of stupidity and exemplifies the many national security reasons for acquiring Greenland,” he declared.

Prior to Trump’s appearance at Davos, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized the UK for its handling of the Chagos agreement, stating, “President Trump has made it clear that we will not delegate our national security or hemispheric security to any other nations. Our ally, the UK, is letting us down regarding the Diego Garcia base, which we have shared for many years, and now they wish to transfer it to Mauritius.”

Bessent also noted issues within the UK-US trade agreement, revealing that no further trade negotiations are scheduled between the two countries.