According to The Times, Prime Minister Starmer has said that Britain must "step up" and strengthen its security, military, and economic ties with Europe in response to President Trump's alarming threat to invade Greenland.
While Starmer believes that the US threats reinforce the need for a closer relationship with the EU, many question whether this is not just Starmer using the opportunity presented by this international crisis to push Britain towards the EU
In an interview with Channel 4 News, Starmer stressed the importance of keeping Nato together, calling it "the single most effective military alliance the world has ever known."
However, he also argued that Europe needs to "rise to the challenge" and become stronger in terms of defence, security, cyber, trade, and energy. The prime minister reiterated his belief that the UK should be "closer to Europe" and engage in urgent conversations about stepping up cooperation in various areas.
While Starmer acknowledged that the world is in a "better place" after Trump dropped his threat to unilaterally annex Greenland and impose tariffs on Britain and other European nations, concerns remain over the US president's claim to have secured "total access" to the semi-autonomous Danish territory for an unlimited period. Trump's assertion that the US can "do whatever we want" in Greenland, including military activities, has raised alarm bells across Europe.
As details of the "framework" deal between Trump and Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte remain unclear, Denmark and Greenland have made it clear that they have "red lines" that cannot be crossed, including the preservation of sovereignty and democracy for the island. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland's prime minister, emphasised that while they are open to discussions and negotiating a better partnership, "sovereignty is a red line."
Starmer's pronouncement has sparked outrage among Brexiteers who fear it is part of the PM's plan to steadily erode Britain's status as an independent nation outside the EU. Experts have also raised concerns that focusing too heavily on building a closer relationship with the EU could potentially distract from the urgent need to protect Greenland's sovereignty and maintain stability in the region.
Starmer's meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at Chequers, where they discussed the security of the Arctic as a matter for the entire Nato alliance, has been met with mixed reactions.
While Frederiksen stressed the importance of Nato having a "permanent presence" in the Arctic, including around Greenland, sceptics argue that Starmer's emphasis on strengthening ties with Europe may not be the most effective way to address the current crisis.
As tensions continue to simmer over Greenland's future, questions remain over whether Starmer's approach of bolstering ties with Europe is the right course of action. While cooperation and collaboration are undoubtedly important, some argue that the prime minister must be careful not to let his desire for closer European integration overshadow the immediate need to address the security concerns posed by Trump's alarming threats to Greenland's sovereignty.
