BREAKING: Keir Starmer to carry Downing Street press convention after Donald Trump tariff threats

Keir Starmer will hold a Downing Street press conference on Monday morning after Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs over his Greenland tantrum.

It comes after NATO countries – including the UK – warned the US President his action risks a “dangerous downward spiral” in relations. In a joint statement the countries said they will “stand united and coordinated” in their response and in “full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland”.

It came after the erratic US President warned he will slap 10% tariffs on countries including the UK for opposing his desired takeover of the territory. In an incendiary move, he also threatened to hike the levies on NATO allies to 25% on June 1 if a deal to buy Greenland is not reached in time.

Over the weekend Keir Starmer criticised the move as “completely wrong” in rare public criticism of the US President. The Prime Minister had been planning a cost of living focused speech in the North West on Monday – but the intervention has been delayed.

He is instead expected to address the international developments over the weekend in a press conference from Downing Street on Monday. Mr Starmer will set out the UK’s approach to working with allies while making clear his aim to protect the security and living standards of the British public.

The statement on Sunday by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK said: “As members of Nato, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise Arctic Endurance conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone.

“We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.

They added: “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”

But some including the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey have urged the PM to cancel the King’s upcoming state visit if the President presses ahead with the threat. He said: “The PM must tell Trump in no uncertain terms: if he goes ahead with these outrageous tariffs and keeps bullying Greenland, there’ll be no state visit to the US in April. The UK must not be a doormat for an extortionist, or reward Trump’s behaviour with the pageantry he craves.”

Tory MP Simon Hoare added: “The upcoming State visit of HM The King to the US must now be cancelled. The civilised world can deal with Trump no longer. He is a gangster pirate.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy insisted on Sunday the UK’s position on Greenland is non-negotiable – despite Donald Trump’s threats. She said: “Our PM has been unequivocal, it is the position of the UK that the future of Greenland depends on the wishes of the people of Greenland and the people of the kingdom of Denmark.”

But she told Sky News that Britain will not descend into a “war of words” with Trump’s America and ramp up the temperature. Pressed on whether the UK could delay King Charles’s US state visit as a result, Ms Nandy dismissed the idea.

She said: “Our position on Greenland is non-negotiable. We’ve made that very clear and we’ll continue to make that clear. President Trump’s position on Greenland is different. Notwithstanding that it is in our collective interest to work together and not to start a war of words. And were I to come on your show and say we’re going to try and persuade the King to delay his visit because we’re very cross – I’m not really sure where that will get us.

“What we will do is continue to be clear about the UK’s position and what is in our interests and act in our interests.” On Sunday, EU ambassadors were also summoned for emergency talks over the US President’s threats.