Greenland: Proposed US Tariffs

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle Excerpts

Monday 19th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)]

My Lords, there is a notable difference in tone between the response of many of our European allies and that of Sir Keir Starmer to the actions and words of President Trump. Does the Minister think that the softly-softly approach of the United Kingdom is having a positive impact, or is it inviting further aggressive actions and words?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I watched the Prime Minister’s statement this morning and I would not at all describe it as softly-softly. It was made very clear what the United Kingdom stands for and what we think of this proposal. The Prime Minister stood there publicly and laid it out for people to make their own assessment of where they think we are. The right thing to do is to carry on in that vein. That has served us well up until now. Our Prime Minister has a good relationship with and the respect of President Trump—much to many people’s surprise, I might add. Nevertheless, that is where we are. He is someone I know quite well, and I would say that he is quite well suited to this kind of diplomacy.