Starmer Condemns Trump's 'Pressure Tactics' Over Greenland During PMQs
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has delivered his most explicit criticism yet of former US President Donald Trump, accusing him of deliberately attempting to pressure the UK government over its stance on the future of Greenland. The confrontation unfolded during a tense Prime Minister's Questions session in the House of Commons, where Starmer linked Trump's recent reversal on the Chagos Islands sovereignty deal to his long-standing ambition regarding Greenland.
Trump's Strategic Shift on Chagos Islands
Starmer highlighted how Trump had used his Truth Social platform overnight on Tuesday to dramatically change his position on the planned handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. This agreement, which had previously received US backing, is designed to secure the future of the vital UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. In his social media posts, Trump described the UK's approach as "an act of GREAT STUPIDITY" and explicitly connected it to his desire for Greenland acquisition.
The prime minister stated unequivocally: "President Trump deployed words on Chagos yesterday that were different to his previous words of welcome and support. He deployed those words yesterday for the express purpose of putting pressure on me and Britain in relation to my values and principles, on the future of Greenland."
Confrontation with Opposition Leader Badenoch
The session saw Starmer clash directly with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who had questioned him about Trump's comments. Starmer accused Badenoch of effectively endorsing what he characterised as Trump's attempt to make Britain "cave in" over Greenland. "I had understood her position to be that she supported the government's position on the future of Greenland," Starmer said. "Now she appears to support words by President Trump to undermine the government's position. She's chosen naked opportunism over the national interest."
When Badenoch contested this interpretation, Starmer reiterated his position, noting that Trump's comments about the Chagos Islands appeared "literally in the same sentence" as his remarks about Greenland, demonstrating their interconnected purpose.
Clear Principles on Greenland's Future
Starmer emphasised his consistent position regarding Greenland's sovereignty, which he had previously outlined during a Downing Street press conference where he condemned Trump's threat of tariffs against European nations with troops in Greenland. "I've been clear and consistent in my position on the future of Greenland," the prime minister declared. "Its future is for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone."
He described the Greenland issue as "a binary issue that is splitting the world at the moment with material consequences," and criticised Badenoch for failing to demonstrate national leadership during what he called "an important national moment."
The exchange represents a significant escalation in Starmer's public criticism of Trump and highlights ongoing tensions in UK-US relations regarding territorial sovereignty and international diplomacy.
