Sir Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer navigated a challenging diplomatic position at Davos 2026, seeking to maintain close US relations while supporting European allies on Greenland sovereignty. His coverage pattern was distinctive: peaking on January 19 with 595 quotes before the week's major news developments, then maintaining steady presence throughout the forum.

This early peak reflected anticipation around Starmer's balancing act. As the first major Western leader to address the Greenland question, his statements that decisions belong to 'the people of Greenland and the kingdom of Denmark alone' set the tone for subsequent European responses.

British media's overwhelming presence in coverage (Daily Mail alone contributed 214 articles) demonstrates the domestic political stakes. UK outlets were intensely interested in how their Prime Minister would handle relations with the new Trump administration while maintaining European partnerships post-Brexit.

Starmer's 69.3% positive sentiment reflects successful navigation of competing pressures. His messaging emphasized dialogue and de-escalation without directly confronting Trump, allowing both pro-American and pro-European outlets to find favorable angles. The 4% negative coverage came primarily from critics arguing he wasn't assertive enough in either direction. His consistent presence across all eight days of coverage, never dropping below 87 quotes on any active day, suggests a deliberate strategy of sustained engagement rather than single-event dominance.