Zack Polanski has said the UK should consider expelling US forces from British military bases and reassessing its reliance on American defence cooperation, as tensions rise between Europe and the White House over Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland.
The Green party leader made the remarks as Prime Minister Keir Starmer attempts to manage a rapidly deteriorating transatlantic relationship, with Trump threatening tariffs against the UK and several European allies who oppose his Greenland ambitions.
Speaking in an interview with the Guardian, Polanski argued that Britain’s dependence on the United States leaves national security vulnerable to the political temperament of the American president, warning that UK defence policy is overly exposed to Washington’s shifting priorities.
🪖 Questioning US military presence in Britain
Polanski said the UK should review the continued presence of US forces on British soil, suggesting the issue should form part of a broader strategic defence review.
“I think it’s pretty worrying that we’ve allowed ourselves to become so reliant on American interests,” he said. “A lot of this depends on if Donald Trump is in a good mood or not.”
While stopping short of calling for immediate removals, Polanski said Britain should be “weaning itself off” American military cooperation and equipment, arguing that long-term reliance on the US undermines independent decision-making.
His comments come as Trump escalates pressure on European governments by threatening punitive tariffs on countries resisting his plan to take control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory.
🌍 Calls to leave Nato and rethink defence alliances
Polanski went further by saying he personally supports the UK leaving Nato, despite acknowledging that this is not currently Green party policy.
He argued that Nato is no longer reformable from within, claiming Trump’s influence over the alliance makes meaningful change impossible.
“Donald Trump has so much domination within Nato that I don’t believe it’s possible to reform Nato from within,” he said.
Polanski also reiterated his long-standing opposition to nuclear weapons, saying he would push for Britain to abandon its nuclear deterrent and advocate global denuclearisation, including engagement with countries such as Russia.
“If we’re not willing to have conversations about peace and diplomacy – including everyone denuclearising – then what are we doing here?” he said.
⚠️ Comparisons between Trump and Putin
Asked whether he viewed the US as a greater threat than Russia, Polanski declined to draw a direct comparison but described Trump as “dangerous”, while acknowledging that Vladimir Putin has committed more overt acts of aggression.
He criticised Trump’s support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing the US president of complicity in the conflict in Gaza, and said the question was not about ranking threats but recognising systemic instability.
His comments are likely to fuel criticism from defence experts who argue that Nato remains the cornerstone of European security, particularly amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
🇬🇧 Starmer urges calm as trade war fears grow
Polanski’s intervention comes as Starmer seeks to de-escalate tensions with Washington, following Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on eight European countries, including the UK, unless they support his Greenland takeover.
Speaking from Downing Street earlier this week, Starmer warned against the dangers of a trade war but said he did not believe Trump would ultimately follow through with military action.
“I think this can be resolved, and should be resolved, through calm discussion,” the prime minister said.
However, Polanski accused Starmer of placing too much faith in maintaining a positive relationship with Trump.
“He’s putting his eggs in the basket of being on the good side of Donald Trump,” Polanski said, adding that Britain should be prepared to reduce its dependence on US arms imports even if that risks the £331bn UK-US trading relationship.
💷 Wealth tax and economic divergence
Alongside his foreign policy stance, Polanski defended his proposal for a wealth tax, suggesting a 1% levy on assets over £10 million and a 10% levy on assets above £1 billion could raise up to £25 billion annually.
He dismissed concerns that wealthy individuals would flee the country to avoid the tax, calling such fears “absurd”.
“It’s not so much about raising money,” he said. “It’s about tackling inequality.”
While the proposals remain controversial, Polanski’s comments underline a widening gap between the Greens and Labour on both defence and economic policy, as Britain navigates an increasingly unstable global landscape shaped by Trump’s return to power.
Leave a Reply