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Starmer to meet Danish PM after telling PMQs he will 'not yield' to Trump over Greenland

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Starmer tells PMQs he will 'not yield' to Donald Trump over future of Greenland
Starmer tells PMQs he will 'not yield' to Donald Trump over the future of Greenland. Picture: Parliament TV/PA

By Flaminia Luck

Sir Keir Starmer will meet Denmark's prime minister a day after Donald Trump backed down on his threat to impose tariffs on the UK and other Nato allies who opposed his ambitions to annex Greenland.

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The US president rowed back on his threats on Wednesday evening after a meeting with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte.

The pair met on the fringes of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where they "formed the framework of a future deal" for security in the Arctic region.

On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer has told PMQs he will stand up to Trump over his threats.

Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Citizens of Greenland are citizens of Denmark and also citizens of the European Union.

The US President Trump has previously refused to rule out using the military to acquire the island.

At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir said: "I have made my position clear on our principles and values.

"The first of those is that the future of Greenland is for the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone.

"The second is that threats of tariffs to pressurise allies are completely wrong."

Read more: Why does Trump want Greenland?

Sir Keir Starmer will welcome Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen this week
Sir Keir Starmer will welcome Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen this week. Picture: Alamy

He said the Danish prime minister is coming to the UK on Thursday, adding: "I will not yield, Britain will not yield on our principles and values about the future of Greenland under threats of tariffs, and that is my clear position."

US president Mr Trump has threatened to hit Britain and other European allies with 10% tariffs from February 1 unless they agree to his purchase of Greenland, and he has refused to rule out using military force to seize the island.

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Donald Trump steps off Air Force One upon arrival at Zurich Airport
Donald Trump steps off Air Force One upon arrival at Zurich Airport. Picture: Getty

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the UK would not be "buffeted around" by the threat of tariffs.

The Chancellor said the UK had an economic plan which would "get us through challenging times" and the trade deal with the US would not be "undone".

She was speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Mr Trump is due to make a major speech later on Wednesday.

Ms Reeves told Sky News: "Britain is not here to be buffeted around. We've got an economic plan, and it is the right one for our country.

"If other countries want to increase trade barriers, that is their choice, but we are determined to bring trade barriers down which is why this week I'm meeting with European, Gulf partners, Canadians to talk about how we can free up trade and make it easier for businesses to trade around the world.

"And on President Trump, we worked last year to get a trade deal. And as the US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said when I saw him yesterday, he doesn't see any reason why that trade deal should be undone."

Rachel Reeves has insisted the "special relationship" betweent the US and the UK was alive and well
Rachel Reeves has insisted the "special relationship" betweent the US and the UK was alive and well. Picture: Getty

'Special relationship' still alive

Reeves also insisted the "special relationship" with the US was still alive despite current differences.

Asked whether there was "anything left of the special relationship", the Chancellor told ITV News: "There absolutely is.

"And there's no more special relationship on military, on strategic issues, than the relationship between the US and the UK.

"And that is one of the reasons why last year we were able to secure for Britain the first and the best trade deal with the United States, and that has real, tangible benefits."

Ms Reeves added that she did not "accept" that the relationship was unravelling.

Earlier, Donald Trump arrived in Switzerland to meet world leaders at a summit in Davos.

The US President stepped off the plane at midday alongside his Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

It comes as the US signalled that trade talks with the UK have been put on hold, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of “letting us down” over the Chagos Islands.

The President hit out at the UK for insisting Greenland's future should be decided by its residents and Denmark.

Last night, Mr Trump was asked directly about his commitment to taking over Greenland following a lengthy speech at a White House press briefing to mark one year since his second inauguration.

During the press conference, Mr Trump was asked about his relationship with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.

In response, he said he gets along with the pair but warned they must "straighten out" their countries.

He was also quizzed on if he had spoken to them since his social media posts.

"No, I haven't [spoken to them], but I think I get along very well with them," Mr Trump said.

"I mean, they always treat me well. They get a little bit rough when I'm not around, but when I'm around they treat me very nicely. "And, you know, I like both of them."

Greenland flag in Nuuk, Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous region of Denmark. Picture: Alamy

Shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart said the dispute between Nato allies over Greenland was the most dangerous moment for Europe since 1945.

He told the Press Association: "There's a risk that Nato is going to fall apart. I really hope that doesn't happen. We must be doing everything we can to prevent it from happening.

"But if it does, it will probably mean that (Vladimir) Putin will win in Ukraine, and then we will have a very large Russian army on the outskirts of Europe, and Europe's defence (is) simply not ready.

"And that's the most dangerous thing to have happened since 1945, and we need to sort this out. So what we've been calling for is for the Prime Minister to convene an urgent emergency meeting of Nato so that we can discuss issues like Arctic security."