Campaigners are calling for urgent progress on deepening UK-EU ties after US President Donald Trump threatened eight European nations, including the UK, with new tariffs over their stance on Greenland.
The US president said 10% tariffs would come into effect on 1 February for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland.
The announcement came after the nations moved additional troops to the Greenland, in what many viewed as a symbolic act of solidarity with Denmark and the autonomous territory following repeated threats of annexation from the USA.
Today the Prime Minister addressed the nation describing the threat of tariffs as "completely wrong" and that the future of Greenland "belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone"
Best for Britain’s landmark research from last year undertaken by Frontier Economics found that the UK Government can secure significant growth through a policy of deep alignment in both goods and services with the EU, even in the face of tariffs from the US. Significantly, alignment on goods offers disproportionate economic dividends for areas outside London.
Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain, said:
“Brits no longer see the USA as a reliable ally and know all too well that further tariffs will punish them, deepening the crisis in living standards. Fortunately there is a way for our Government to protect both us and our neighbours in Europe - by extending the beneficial alignment being pursued for agri-food and electricity to all industrial and service sectors which would deliver disproportionate growth to areas outside London and the south east.
“As our research shows, the UK and EU can not only shield themselves from the worst of tariffs, the move can also make us safer and more secure as a continent. Deeper regulatory alignment with our largest market offers growth to every corner of the UK and is the change Britain has been waiting for. Geopolitical volatility demands it, voters want it, and businesses need it. The time is long past for the UK and EU governments to commit to it. “