Donald Trump blasted for 'unacceptable' tariff threat as Keir Starmer doubles down on Greenland stance

On Sunday, the Prime Minister told Mr Trump it was "wrong" to impose tariffs on Britain and other European countries which oppose his desire to secure control of the territory.

In an address to the nation on Monday, Sir Keir reaffirmed his commitment to protecting their security, standards of living and future.

Criticising Mr Trump's tariff threat, Mr Cartlidge told GB News: "The way that Denmark deals with the threat of Russia is that Denmark is part of Nato, along with ourselves and along with the United States, that that alliance was formed precisely because of the threat from Russia, the North Atlantic treaty.

"And I think actually there's cross-party agreement in Britain on this. What he's proposing is unacceptable, both in terms of the claim on Greenland, and in terms of then using tariffs to potentially punish countries who stand up to him on it."

He added: "I very much regret the position we are in. It's worth remembering that after 9/11, that's the only time article five of Nato has ever been used, and it was used by the United States and for other Nato countries to come to their mutual aid, which we did, and fighting in Afghanistan, where, of course, we lost many, many troops.

"Denmark had the highest per capita losses, so we are all allies together, and it would be much better if we stood together as allies instead of resorting to these kind of proposals."

Asked by host Mark White if what is required now is for "both sides to step back" as Mr Trump has been "backed into a corner", Mr Cartlidge responded: "The last thing we want is a trade war with our closest ally and a massive trading partner of the United Kingdom.

"Even if we weren't affected and it was just the UK and Europe, it would still have wider ramifications for the global economy and for ourselves.

"So there's a reason why I strongly believe and most people believe in free trade, it's in our best interests.

"So you're absolutely right, the last thing we want to see is some kind of tariff war across the Western alliance."

He made clear: "On the total contrary, what we should be doing now is coming together and recognising there is a serious threat from Russia and other potential adversaries, and we should be standing strong against that."

Questioned on the claims made by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch that "Britain isn't broken", Mark told the Shadow Defence Secretary: "You say you don't believe that Britain is broken, but if you get outside of the Westminster bubble and you get into communities right across the country, there are many people in those communities who feel that the social fabric of these communities has disintegrated to the point where it is broken.

"And as far as the Conservatives are concerned, they feel they just don't get that. That's why Reform is seeing such a resurgence in those willing to go and vote for them."

Mr Cartlidge disagreed, hitting back: "No, I don't accept that. This thing about the Westminster bubble, I was in Sudbury, which is a small market town in my constituency of South Suffolk, over the weekend.

"The people there do not live in the Westminster bubble. They were incredibly positive about the way Kemi had handled Robert Jenrick.

"These people are struggling with the cost of living. They've all got their challenges in our part of the world, which is quite rural, people have got to fill their heating oil tanks, it's actually quite expensive at the moment. There is rural poverty where we are, there are challenges.

"We all want to see better results from our local schools, our businesses with these huge hikes in business rates have their challenges too. And so I'm not saying there aren't massive challenges, and yes, there are parts of inner cities in this country where that is particularly acute.

"It has been for many years. But if we want to deal with these problems, there's no point in simply focusing on anger and going on about broken Britain."

He argued: "In my view, I accept entirely there are significant challenges, but we have to look at our strengths as well. Britain is an open trading nation, that's why this issue of potential tariffs is so damaging.

"We've still got an amazing financial services sector. We have brilliant universities, we lead in many facets in global trade and in science.

"What we've got to do, the way back in, it's why I think Kemi has been so strong in recent weeks, and I think people are waking up to this, instead of spending more on welfare, which Reform proposed, getting people more dependent on the state, we have got to set free our entrepreneurial instincts as a country.

"Trust in business, get spending under control so we can cut taxes like business rates, that's the agenda she set out. It's an authentic Conservative agenda, and I think it is a much more positive message for the country."