Sir Keir Starmer told MPs he “will not yield” to pressure from US President Donald Trump over Greenland, calling tariff threats against allies “completely wrong”. He reiterated that decisions about Greenland rest with its people and the Kingdom of Denmark, and confirmed he will host Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Downing Street on Thursday. (news.sky.com)
Trump has threatened a 10% US tariff on goods from eight European countries, including the UK, from 1 February, rising to 25% on 1 June if his demand to acquire Greenland is not met. The European Parliament has paused a transatlantic trade framework in response, while London and Brussels weigh de‑escalation options. (uk.finance.yahoo.com)
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the US “won’t use force” to obtain Greenland, even as he pressed NATO partners to back his plan. The pledge followed days of threats tied to new tariffs and accusations that allies were undermining US security. (apnews.com)
The row has intertwined with the UK’s Chagos agreement. Trump denounced the UK–Mauritius deal as “great stupidity”, despite earlier support, and linked it to his Greenland push. Starmer told MPs the remarks were intended to pressure Britain to shift its stance; he refused. (washingtonpost.com)
Ministers say the Chagos treaty, signed on 22 May 2025, secures long‑term operations at the Diego Garcia base while recognising Mauritian sovereignty, with a 99‑year UK/US lease and an average £101m annual payment (NPV ~£3.4bn). Government briefings and parliamentary papers emphasise the agreement provides a clearer legal basis for the base. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
Legislation to implement the treaty-the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill-remains before Parliament following Lords amendments. Commons Library notes further consideration scheduled this week, underscoring continued scrutiny rather than a change of policy. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
No 10 has resisted suggestions that US backing has evaporated, pointing to endorsements from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and insisting “our Five Eyes allies support it”. At Davos, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticised the UK for “letting us down” over Diego Garcia, underscoring Washington’s internal debate. (independent.co.uk)
At PMQs, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch backed self‑determination for Greenland but attacked the Chagos deal’s cost; Reform UK’s Nigel Farage argued the world would be “more secure” if the US controlled Greenland-subject to Greenlanders’ consent. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused Trump of acting like a “crime boss running a protection racket”. (standard.co.uk)
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, in Davos, said Britain would not be “buffeted around” by tariff threats and cited ongoing trade cooperation with Washington. She said the government’s priority is de‑escalation and safeguarding UK business while talks continue. (news.sky.com)
Greenland’s constitutional position is set by the 2009 Self‑Government Act: it is an autonomous part of the Danish Realm, with any status change a matter for Greenlandic institutions and Denmark. The UK has aligned its messaging with this principle of self‑determination and will restate it when Frederiksen visits London. (english.stm.dk)