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Summary: Donald Trump has told Sir Keir Starmer to “straighten out” Britain as tensions rise over Labour’s reported Chagos direction and Trump’s renewed pressure over Greenland. With Davos talks under way, European leaders push back, Nato weighs Arctic options, and No 10 insists Greenland’s future belongs to Greenland and Denmark alone.
Trump to Starmer: “straighten out” the UK
Donald Trump has escalated his public criticism of Sir Keir Starmer, claiming “London is having a lot of problems” and saying the Prime Minister needs to “straighten out” the country.
The remarks come as tensions deepen over two strategic issues: Greenland’s security and the future of the Chagos Islands, home to the Diego Garcia base.
“They’ve got to straighten out their countries. London is having a lot of problems.”
Trump accuses Starmer and Macron of acting differently behind closed doors
Trump also suggested Sir Keir and Emmanuel Macron take a tougher line when he is not present, raising questions about trust between leaders.
It is unusually personal language for a dispute that has serious implications for defence and diplomacy.
“[They] treat me well. They get a little bit rough when … I’m not around, but when I’m around, they treat me very nicely.”
Chagos and Diego Garcia become a transatlantic flashpoint
The dispute over the Chagos Islands centres on sovereignty arrangements involving Mauritius and the future of Diego Garcia, a key UK-US military facility.
Trump framed the situation as Britain planning to “give away” the island hosting a vital US base, warning it makes no strategic sense.
For background on why Diego Garcia matters to Britain’s defence posture, see Chagos Islands Explained: Why Britain Cannot Give Up This Strategic Defence Base.
“Shockingly, our ‘brilliant’ NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.”
Davos disruption as Trump’s plane turns back mid-flight
Trump was due to depart for the World Economic Forum in Davos, but his aircraft reportedly turned around mid-air due to a “minor electrical issue”.
He and his team were expected to switch to another plane and continue the journey.
Macron hits back with a warning against “bullies”
European leaders used Davos to respond, warning against intimidation and signalling they want a rules-based approach to security and trade.
Macron delivered one of the clearest swipes, without naming Trump directly.
“We do prefer respect to bullies. And we do prefer rule of law to brutality.”
Trump renews Greenland pressure and calls it “imperative”
Trump insists Greenland is essential to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic and to strengthen Western security in a rapidly changing region.
He has described control of Greenland as central to “national and world security”, signalling he wants decisive movement rather than more diplomatic delay.
“Greenland is imperative for national and world security.”
No 10: Greenland’s future belongs to Greenland and Denmark
Downing Street said Sir Keir told European Council president António Costa that Greenland’s future should be decided by Greenlanders and Denmark, while stressing Nato cooperation on Arctic security.
The UK line is cautious: defend sovereignty principles while avoiding a full public rupture with Washington.
“The future of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone.”
“The UK is prepared to play its part to protect Arctic security, alongside Nato.”
Greenland prepares contingency planning as tension rises
Greenland’s leadership has reportedly told residents to be ready for potential disruption, even while stressing an American military move remains unlikely.
Guidance discussed includes basic household preparedness, such as having enough food to last several days if daily life is interrupted.
Britain faces a bigger question: clarity or drift
The episode highlights a wider vulnerability for the UK: mixed messaging, uncertain strategy, and defence assets becoming bargaining chips in high-stakes disputes.
If Britain wants credibility with allies and voters, it needs clear red lines on the protection of strategic bases and a serious approach to Arctic security.
In geopolitics, strength is not announced. It is demonstrated.
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Macron wants a rules based situation, so does Trump. Macron just hasn’t caught on yet that his rules aren’t “the rules”. The left have done what they wanted for a long time now and called it the rules, justice, fairness. But it’s only fair to them.
Trump is rewriting “the rules” which seems fair to me! (Just not to the lefties).
The whole world knows Starmer is a soft touch, as well as deluded, and his logic is from another world, he became leader and servant to the people, then upon being elected, he elevated himself from servant to dictator in the blink of an eye,he refuses to take security advice, he believes he knows more about terrorism and spying than the secret service, he gives away military strategic island’s we already own, and expects the taxpayers to rent it back, he needs locking up.