UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with US President Donald Trump for the first time at the White House, covering a range of topics including trade, security, and US-UK relations. Here are the major takeaways from their discussions and press conferences:
With Trump signaling interest in a UK trade deal and discussions on NATO and Ukraine continuing, the visit laid the groundwork for future negotiations between the two leaders.
Surprise Letter from King Charles
Starmer delivered a letter from King Charles III inviting Trump for a second state visit to the UK.- Trump seemed genuinely surprised, asking, "Am I supposed to read it right now?"
- After reading, he accepted the invitation, calling it an "honour" and describing King Charles as "a beautiful man, a wonderful man."
- Starmer noted that extending such an invitation during a first official visit was “unprecedented.”
Trump Takes Control of the Room
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump dominated the conversation:- He leaned forward, taking charge of calling on reporters, mirroring his previous interactions with other world leaders.
- At the joint news conference, both leaders praised each other, with Trump joking:
- When Starmer was asked about Trump’s controversial idea to make Canada the 51st US state, Starmer dismissed it:
- Trump abruptly interjected, saying, "That's enough," cutting off the discussion.
Starmer a 'Tough Negotiator' on Trade
Starmer pushed Trump to drop potential trade tariffs on the UK.- Trump acknowledged Starmer’s persistence, saying:
- Trump hinted at a "very good chance" of a deal that would remove the need for tariffs.
- Starmer emphasized a “new economic deal” focused on advanced technology.
Trump ‘Minded’ to Accept UK’s Chagos Deal
Trump signaled support for the UK’s negotiations with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands, which house a UK-US military base in Diego Garcia.- US Republicans have previously opposed the deal, fearing it could strengthen China’s influence.
- However, Trump expressed optimism, saying he had a "feeling the deal would work out very well."
Trump Walks Back ‘Dictator’ Comments on Zelensky
Last week, Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator", echoing Russian claims about Ukraine’s canceled elections due to martial law.- When asked by the BBC, Trump responded:
- Later, Trump softened his stance, praising Zelensky as "very brave" and confirming that progress toward peace would continue.
- Zelensky’s upcoming White House visit is expected to include signing a major minerals deal with the US.
Starmer Defends UK’s Free Speech Record
At last week’s Munich Security Conference, US Vice President JD Vance accused the UK and other European democracies of restricting free speech.- When asked about this, Trump called on Vance to explain.
- Vance claimed that UK policies had affected American tech companies and citizens.
- Starmer firmly rejected the claim, stating:
While Starmer and Trump come from different political backgrounds, their first meeting was diplomatic, covering trade, security, and diplomacy.With Trump signaling interest in a UK trade deal and discussions on NATO and Ukraine continuing, the visit laid the groundwork for future negotiations between the two leaders.
