Login

My Account

Tariff row: Sir Keir Starmer pledges to stand up for UK national interest

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today ruled out engaging in a tariff row trade war with the United States over the latest tariff threat.

Sir Keir Starmer speaking to the nation today.

In a hastily arranged press conference this morning, he pledged: “I will stand up for the UK’s national interest, but I want to say a trade war is not in our interest.”

The Prime Minister said he spoke to President Trump last night to explain the UK’s position.

Britain was included in Trump’s latest tariff threat because it sent a military officer to Greenland last week, which Sir Keir said was simply to look at a possible threat from Russia.

Trump has already imposed a 10% tariff on most UK goods and it now faces that going up to 25% from 1 June.

Seafood, and Scottish salmon sales in particular, would be among the commodities hardest hit from this new threat. The industry has yet to react, but will no doubt view the situation as very serious.

Sir Keir said that the UK and US remained close allies on issues such as defence and intelligence, and he would ensure that situation remained.

But he admitted there were differences and Greenland was among them. And he insisted that the future of the Arctic island was a matter for Greenland and Denmark alone.

He said he believed the use of tariffs to solve the Greenland dispute to be completely wrong and in no ones interests, and that the people who would feel the impact of a full-on trade dispute would be the public in matters such as food prices and the business world, especially small businesses.

Why not try these links to see what our Fish Farmer AI can tell you.
(Please note this is an experimental service)

How can US tariffs impact the salmon aquaculture industry in Scotland?What strategies can prevent a trade war between the UK and USA?How might tariff threats affect UK seafood exports to Europe?What role does the UK government play in protecting national trade interests?How could Greenland's aquaculture developments influence UK trade policies?

HGV Driver - Mowi Scotland

RosythSalary On Application

Hygiene Operative - Night - Bakkafrost Scotland Limited

Cairndow£33,273.52 per annum

HR Business Partner - Bakkafrost Scotland Limited

Cairndow£40,000 to £50,000 per annum

Deckhand (Mowi Storr) - Mowi Scotland

Skye & Lochalsh£28,258 to £31,648 per annum

Farm Technician (Tervine) - Mowi Scotland

Argyll & Bute£28,258 to £31,648 per annum

100 jobs may go as Bremnes calls time on Salma brand

Sea Farming15 Jan 2025

15,000 fish escape at Lerøy site

Land Based Farming & Hatcheries18 Dec 2025

20,000 farmed fish die after power failure

Sea Farming30 Oct 2024

2023 saw Scottish salmon production fall 11%

Sign up to our daily Newsletters

We at Fish Farmer Magazine endeavour to ensure that all our reports are fair and accurate and comply with the Editors’ Code of Practice set by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). We realise, however, that mistakes happen from time to time. If you think we have made a significant mistake and you wish to discuss this with us, please let us know as soon as possible by any of the three methods: emailing editor@fishfarmermagazine.com; telephoning the editor on 01315517949 ; writing to the Editor at Fish Farmer Magazine, The North Quarter, Fettes Park 496 Ferry Road, Edinburgh, EH5 2DL. We will attempt to resolve your issue in a timeous, reasonable and amicable manner. However, if you are unsatisfied with our response, you can contact IPSO, which will investigate the matter. You can either telephone IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or email inquiries@ipso.co.uk. IPSO is an independent body which deals with complaints from the public about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines. We will abide by the decision of IPSO.