Since taking workplace, Donald Trump has usually criticized America’s long-standing allies. Nonetheless, on Thursday, he took a noticeably completely different strategy, showering Britain with reward and warmly welcoming Sir Keir Starmer as his “particular” visitor.
Trump described the UK prime minister as a “particular man,” King Charles as “an exquisite man,” and Starmer’s spouse Victoria as “an exquisite, nice lady.” Even Starmer’s accent earned Trump’s admiration, calling it “stunning.”
The pleasant tone carried by way of hours of negotiations on the White Home and a collection of cordial press occasions, the place either side appeared desperate to show the potential for a constructive relationship with Trump.
Starmer, who delivered an invite from King Charles for Trump to go to Scotland, referred to as the chance “unimaginable” and “unprecedented.” He repeatedly referred to the connection as “particular.”
Behind the pleasantries, there have been significant developments. In a stunning transfer, Trump endorsed Starmer’s settlement to switch sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a deal beforehand criticized by key members of his administration.
The US president additionally hinted at the potential for a long-discussed US-UK commerce deal. Such an settlement, Trump steered, might assist defend Britain from his proposed tariffs, together with a 25% tax on European imports.
Nonetheless, Starmer left the talks with out securing his major goal: a US dedication to again European peacekeepers in Ukraine after a possible peace settlement with Russia. Trump steered {that a} new US-Ukraine minerals deal might act as a deterrent in opposition to Russian aggression, however this fell wanting the army assurances Starmer sought. Trump additionally famous, “The British don’t want a lot assist.”
At a press convention, Starmer described the discussions as “very productive” and emphasised that additional talks between their groups would give attention to making certain any peace deal is sturdy and enforceable. “The deal has to come back first,” he mentioned.
On Sunday, Starmer will host representatives from 18 international locations in London to find out the following steps. The urgent query stays: Will Britain or its allies deploy peacekeepers in Ukraine and not using a clear dedication from the US?
Regardless of the challenges, Starmer expressed optimism, commending Trump for “altering the dialog” on Ukraine.
Economically, Starmer discovered a glimmer of hope. Though Trump stopped wanting guaranteeing that the UK could be spared from excessive tariffs, he joked that Starmer had “tried” onerous to safe an exemption. Trump steered that such an exemption was attainable, offered negotiators might finalize a commerce deal that has lengthy eluded either side.
Whereas particulars of the commerce settlement stay scarce, each leaders indicated it might give attention to digital commerce and rising applied sciences like synthetic intelligence. “As an alternative of over-regulating these new applied sciences, we’re seizing the alternatives they provide,” Starmer said.
Trump confirmed that senior officers, together with Vice President J.D. Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, would lead the commerce discussions. “I imagine we’ll safe two agreements,” Trump said. “One to finish the conflict and one other for a powerful commerce deal.”
