Keir Starmer Holds Downing Street Press Conference After Trump's Tariffs Threat

Is Britain's approach to Trump smart diplomacy, or dangerous appeasement?
Keir Starmer Holds Downing Street Press Conference After Trump's Tariffs Threat
Above: Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement at Downing Street, on Jan. 19. Image credit: Jordan Pettitt/WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

The best solution to this crisis is not public grandstanding, but calm deliberation. Resolute and private diplomacy with the U.S. has already delivered concrete results for Britain — ranging from billions of pounds in investment to ironclad defense agreements. The U.K. government, therefore, should continue in this vein to reduce tensions and help reach an amicable settlement.

Government-critical narrative

The government's appeasement of Donald Trump must end immediately. As highlighted by his latest threat to impose tariffs on NATO members if they fail to acquiesce to his imperial desires, this is a dangerous and unpredictable president. Instead, the U.K. should be looking to unite with its European allies against this threat, rather than grovel to a bellicose Washington.

Metaculus Prediction



The Controversies




© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.20.2

© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.20.2