US President Donald Trump speaking during a special address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, January 2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the United Kingdom will not back down from its position on Greenland despite pressure from United States President Donald Trump, insisting that the future of the Danish territory should be decided by its people and by Denmark.
Speaking before British lawmakers, Starmer said he would not be bullied into changing Britain’s stance, even in the face of trade threats and diplomatic pressure from Washington.
The prime minister’s comments come amid renewed tensions between the United States and several European allies following Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland, a vast Arctic island that is an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Trump Rules Out Use of Force but Insists on Control
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump addressed world leaders and defended his long-standing interest in Greenland.
He ruled out the use of military force but maintained that the United States had a strategic right to secure control of the territory.
“People thought I would use force, but I don’t have to use force,” Trump said. “I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
Trump argued that Greenland is too important to be left in the hands of other nations and suggested that American involvement was necessary for global security in the Arctic region.
His remarks immediately drew concern from European leaders, who see the issue as a matter of sovereignty and international law.
Starmer Rejects Pressure and Tariff Threats
Starmer told lawmakers that Trump had attempted to use economic pressure to force Britain into supporting the U.S. position on Greenland.
According to the prime minister, Trump reversed his previous support for a UK-Mauritius agreement on the Chagos Islands in order to apply pressure on Britain over Greenland.
“I will not yield, Britain will not yield, on our principles and values about the future of Greenland under threats of tariffs,” Starmer said. “That is my clear position.”
He added that Trump’s recent criticism of the Chagos Islands deal was politically motivated.
“President Trump deployed words on Chagos yesterday that were different from his previous words of welcome and support,” Starmer said. “He did so for the express purpose of putting pressure on me and Britain in relation to our values and principles on the future of Greenland.”
Trade Tensions Grow Between the U.S. and Europe
The dispute has also triggered renewed trade tensions between the United States and Europe.
In Brussels, a group of European Parliament members blocked a vote to ratify a U.S.–European trade agreement after Trump threatened to impose an additional 15 percent tariff on European Union members and Britain over their opposition to his Greenland ambitions.
European lawmakers said they could not proceed with the deal while Washington continued to use economic threats as a tool of political pressure.
The move signals a widening rift between the U.S. and its traditional allies at a time when global trade and security relations are already under strain.
Call for Calm and Dialogue
Earlier in the week, Starmer had called for calm and constructive dialogue, saying he did not want to escalate tensions into a full-blown trade war.
However, he made it clear that Britain’s position on Greenland was not open to negotiation.
Starmer stressed that the island’s future must be determined by its people and the Danish government, not by external pressure from any foreign power.
He also confirmed that Denmark’s prime minister is expected to visit London for talks as European leaders seek to present a united front on the issue.
Balancing Principles and Diplomacy
Despite his firm stance, Starmer acknowledged the importance of maintaining strong ties with Washington, particularly on security and defence matters.
He said it would be dangerous for Britain to abandon its relationship with the United States, even in the face of disagreements.
“That does not mean we agree with the U.S. on everything,” Starmer told lawmakers. “But it is foolhardy to think that we should rip up our relationship with the U.S., abandon Ukraine and so many other things that are important to our defence, security and intelligence.”
Starmer has made it clear that while Britain wants to preserve its close alliance with the U.S., it will not compromise its values or international principles.
Why Greenland Matters
Greenland has become increasingly important in global geopolitics due to its location in the Arctic, its vast natural resources, and its role in emerging shipping routes as polar ice melts.
The island sits between North America and Europe and is seen as strategically vital for military monitoring and climate research.
The United States already operates a military base in Greenland, but Trump has long argued that full control would strengthen American security and influence in the region.
Denmark and Greenland’s local government have repeatedly rejected any suggestion of a sale or transfer of sovereignty.
European Unity on Sovereignty
European leaders have largely rallied behind Denmark, insisting that Greenland is not for sale and that its future must be decided democratically.
For many European governments, Trump’s renewed push has raised concerns about the erosion of international norms and respect for national borders.
The European Union has stressed that territorial sovereignty remains a core principle of international relations and cannot be undermined by economic or political pressure.
A Test of Transatlantic Relations
The standoff is shaping up to be one of the most serious diplomatic tests of transatlantic relations since Trump’s return to the White House.
While both sides continue to stress the importance of cooperation on global security, trade, and climate change, the Greenland dispute has exposed deep divisions over foreign policy priorities.
For Britain, the challenge is to defend its principles without damaging its long-standing alliance with Washington.
For Europe, the issue has become a symbol of resistance against unilateral foreign policy actions.
Looking Ahead
As talks continue behind closed doors, diplomats on both sides of the Atlantic are working to prevent the dispute from spiralling into a wider trade and security crisis.
For now, Starmer has made it clear that Britain will stand firm.
The future of Greenland, he insists, is not a bargaining chip in global power politics.
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