First Minister urges PM to resist Trump tariff threats

Wales’ First Minister has called on Sir Keir Starmer to resist pressure from Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose tariffs on the UK unless it supports America’s bid to purchase Greenland.

Eluned Morgan wrote to the Prime Minister highlighting how deeply intertwined the Welsh and American economies have become. In the year ending September 2025, Welsh businesses exported £2.1 billion worth of goods to the United States, with more than a thousand companies – roughly a third of all Welsh exporters – trading across the Atlantic.

The stakes are particularly high for Wales, where goods make up 59% of exports to the US, compared to just 32% for the UK as a whole. Around 330 American firms operate in Wales, providing jobs for over 40,000 people.

Despite this economic dependency, Morgan took a firm stance in her letter: “People across Wales are already struggling with the cost of living – increased tariffs will only put further pressure on Welsh businesses. I have written to Sir Keir Starmer setting out that Wales could be disproportionately affected by additional tariffs, which would be a challenge for many Welsh businesses.”

She continued: “Threatening the use of tariffs is an unacceptable and aggressive act from a country we consider a friend and ally. Welsh jobs are on the line and as First Minister I will defend them to the hilt.”

The First Minister acknowledged the importance of American investment whilst drawing a line on principle: “I recognise the importance of the US to the Welsh economy – there are around 330 US-based companies in Wales, employing just over 40,000 people. But there comes a point where principle must be respected. It is the people of Greenland and Denmark who should be determining the future of the island, and international law must be upheld.”

Morgan concluded: “We cannot continue to be threatened with more tariffs by Donald Trump. At this critical moment, we must stand by our allies and the values we hold dear.”