Image source, WPA Pool/Getty Images

We've just heard Prime Minister Keir Starmer address the nation after US President Donald Trump said he would place a 10% tariff on eight European countries from 1 February, rising to 25% from 1 June, until a deal is reached for the US to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

In case you missed it, here's what he said:

• Starmer called Trump's tariff threats against European allies "completely wrong" and a "very serious situation" - adding that the threatened action is "not the right way to resolve differences"
• The prime minister said he didn't think Trump would take military action in Greenland, and the dispute should be resolved through "calm discussion between allies"
• Asked if he is ruling out retaliatory tariffs, Starmer said a trade war was in "nobody's interest"

• Starmer said that any decision about the future status of Greenland "belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone"

• Whilst criticising US tariffs, Starmer also reiterated that the UK and US are "close allies and close partners", and their relationship mattered "profoundly"

• Asked whether the King's state visit to the US should go ahead in April, Starmer says it's important to "have a good relationship with the United States"

Chris Mason
Political editor, reporting from Downing Street

I’m struck by the prime minister’s tone this morning, the gravity of what he is dealing with and how hugely difficult it all is.

Keir Starmer doesn’t throw around hyperbolic language for fun, he has an understated manner.

And yet here he was talking about how the world has become “markedly more turbulent in recent weeks".

The reason for that is President Trump - the man he has invested so much effort in building a strong relationship with over the last year or so.

The PM’s strategy in dealing with this latest flare up over Greenland is to try to take the heat out of it. He said to me and others he doesn’t want a trade war. Starmer is not in favour of retaliatory tariffs, which some in Europe want to see.

“Being pragmatic doesn’t mean being passive,” he argued this morning. He said allies can and should be explicit about where they disagree. And on this, London and Washington do disagree.

Starmer hopes “calm discussion” can make a difference.

The big question is can it?

Sky News' Beth Rigby asks if Trump does go ahead with tariffs, will the UK have to take that economic pain, and is the UK planning retaliatory tariffs if that happens.

Starmer says the move has been "very badly received" across the UK, and it is a “very serious situation".

He adds that a tariff war isn't in anybody's interests because it will be "businesses, workers and families across the country who will be hit by a trade war".

Robert Peston from ITV asks Starmer when he will consider some type of economic retaliation to tariffs, to which Starmer repeats that "this is a serious situation" and adds that threatening tariffs on allies is "the wrong thing to do, completely wrong".

He says a trade war is not in the interests of the UK and his job is to make sure it doesn't get to that point.

Peston also asks Starmer whether he will advise the King to not take part in a state visit to the US in April, to which the prime minister says it is important to continue work with the US, on matters on defence, intelligence and security.

"That requires us to have a good relationship with the United States."

He adds that this does not mean we pretend we don't have differences of opinion, we do.

Image source, PA Media

Moving on to questions from reporters, the BBC's political editor Chris Mason asks the prime minister if he is ruling out retaliatory tariffs, and if he would consider seeing Trump in person this week.

"A tariff war is in nobody's interests," says Starmer.

"We have not got to that stage, my focus is making sure we don't get to that stage."

The prime minister adds that being pragmatic "does not mean being passive" and partnership "does not mean abandoning principle".

He says that this is why it needs to be clear who the UK stands with and where its interests lie.

He says it is a moment for the country to pull together and welcomes support from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and across the political spectrum in the UK on the issue.

Starmer says a trade war is no-one's interest, stating that he supports some of Trump's geopolitical efforts.

He says he supports Trump's efforts in pushing forward a ceasefire in Gaza.

He adds that the UK will work closely with the US, Ukraine and other allies to put pressure "where it belongs" on Putin.

Starmer goes on to explain that it is people with the least power who "absorb the shock" of costs being driven up.

He cites households, small businesses and working people as those who "feel it first" when supply chains fracture.

This is why the Labour government, he says, "must use every tool to fight for interest of ordinary people".

The use of tariffs against allies is "completely wrong", says Starmer. It is "not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance".

He says actions like that hurt British workers, business and the British economy.

"That's why I've been so clear on this issue," says Starmer.

Starmer says: "There is a principle here that cannot be set aside because it goes to the heart of how stable and trusted international cooperation works."

He adds that any decision about the future status of Greenland "belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone".

He says this right is "fundamental and we support it".

Starmer says a close relationship with the US delivers "concrete outcomes" in the national interest, securing jobs and national security.

He says he is daily contact with all of the key figures in Trump's administration.

The prime minister adds that the security of Greenland matters, and will matter more as climate change reshapes the arctic.

"As sea routes open, and strategic competition intensifies, the high north will require greater attention."

The US and UK are "close allies and close partners", says Starmer. That relationship "matters profoundly".

He says he is determined to keep that relationship "strong, constructive and focused on results".

The US has invested "hundreds of billions" of pounds into the UK because of its "sustained engagement", and cooperation on defence, nuclear capability and intelligence "remains as close and effective" as anywhere in the world.

Starmer begins by saying that, given things have been "markedly more turbulent in recent weeks", what matters most is being clear about the UK's values.

He says the UK holds values that "were not improvised" but "built patiently over time", and that defending those values matters.

Keir Starmer is at the lectern at Downing Street and has started his speech. You can watch it live at the top of the page.

We're expecting to hear his response to Donald Trump's new tariff threats over Greenland. Stick with us.

Chris Mason
Political editor, reporting from Downing Street

Hello from No 9 Downing Street - the home of the government’s main briefing room. The prime minister will be here shortly.

The question is what does he - and European allies - plan to do next?

US President Trump has sent a letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, saying: "The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland."

Trump also says he no longer feels "an obligation to think purely of Peace" after Norway "decided not to give" him the Nobel Peace Prize.

In the message, which Støre confirmed he received to press in Norway, Trump says he can now "think about what is good and proper for the United States of America".

He also questions what right of ownership Denmark has to Greenland: "It’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also."

Støre told national newspaper VG that the message was in response to short message he sent to the president on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Update 12:01 GMT: You can read more details from the message in our latest post.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to make a speech shortly from Downing Street, after President Trump's threats over the weekend to levy further tariffs on European countries that oppose his plan to buy Greenland.

We’re expecting hear from the PM at around 09:15 GMT.

You'll be able to watch live at the top of the page, and we'll bring you all the key lines here.

James FitzGerald
BBC News

Image source, Reuters/Getty Images

The US president has consistently stated he needs Greenland for "national security" reasons.

Why does it matter to Trump?

Greenland's location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region.

The US has operated Pituffik Space Base - formerly known as Thule Air Base - since World War Two. It currently monitors for missiles.

In recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. It could also have significant oil and gas reserves.

More than once, Trump has described the threat he perceives from rival powers, saying that "if we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland".

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reportedly told lawmakers that the US plan is to buy rather than invade the island.

You can read more about Trump's ambitions in our explainer.

Faisal Islam
Economics editor

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

The fight for the future of Greenland looms over the gathering of world leaders and businesses at the World Economic Forum (WEF) this week.

Indeed, the timing of Donald Trump's extraordinary threat seems likely to have had this meeting in mind. Trump loves Davos - which is beyond strange given the views of his base.

Last year, he beamed himself into the WEF from the White House, appearing before an audience of largely bewildered European executives just two days after his inauguration.

There was awkward shuffling as he mentioned his territorial ambitions for Canada and Greenland, and made an "offer you can't refuse" to those importing into his country.

And on Wednesday he will be here, pushing the Team USA message at a time of bewilderment in much of the rest of the world, especially in Europe.

Trump is the disruptor-in-chief, certainly right now. He will be pursued by other world leaders and corporate bosses about his attempt to coerce Europe economically to sell Greenland.

Read more in Faisal Islam's analysis on how the forum will be the centre of the world this week - and totally bizarre.

Nick Edser
Business reporter

The prices for gold and silver have hit record highs following the threat by US President Donald Trump to impose fresh tariffs on eight European countries opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland.

Gold touched $4,689.39 (£3,499) an ounce on Monday, while the silver price rose to a peak of $94.08 an ounce.

Precious metals are seen as safer assets to hold in times of uncertainty, and the prices of both gold and silver have soared over the past year.

The row over the future of Greenland has escalated following the threat of extra tariffs by the US and there are reports that the EU is preparing to retaliate.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey says he supports calls for King Charles to cancel an upcoming state visit to the US in April, saying "we've got to stand up to Donald Trump".

"He's a bully and what's at stake, if he goes ahead with either purchasing or invading Greenland, is very serious to our country", Davey tells BBC Breakfast.

Davey says if Trump were to acquire Greenland, it would "signal the end of Nato" or "if it ends in an economic war, it'll hit the cost of living" in the UK.

He describes Trump's state visit to the UK last September as an attempt by the UK government "to get some credit" with the US leader that "hasn't worked".

Davey suggests the solution is for the UK to put on a united front with its Coalition of the Willing allies.

"That is the way to show Donald Trump that he is isolated, that we have alternatives and we will stand up to him very, very strongly."

Greenland is the world's biggest island and sits in the North Atlantic Ocean, between North America and Europe.

Most of the island is in the Arctic Circle and is covered by a permanent ice cap.

Trade: Melting ice due to climate change means shipping routes are opening up around Greenland's waters. This could also unlock access to minerals and fishing areas.

Natural resources: Greenland has potential oil, gas and key mineral reserves - including some seen by the US as critical to its national security - but the Arctic climate makes extracting them difficult.

Population: Around 57,000, mainly made up of indigenous Inuit. Most live in the south west, near the capital Nuuk.

Military: The US has had a military presence on the island since World War Two, when Nazi Germany occupied Denmark. Its only current base is Pituffik, while Denmark also has several military sites.

Politics: Autonomous territory of Denmark governs its own domestic affairs but not its defence policy. Most Greenland political parties are in favour of independence.