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Donald Trump praised Sir Keir Starmer as “a tough negotiator” – but the prime minister failed to secure key concessions over Ukraine in critical White House talks.
In a win for the prime minister, the US president said the two nations could end up with a trade deal without tariffs, and Sir Keir said he would work with the US on a new economic deal with artificial intelligence at its core.
Sir Keir opened his talks with Mr Trump with a charm offensive, delivering an unprecedented second royal invitation for a state visit, which the US president readily accepted. It was seen as a huge boost for the PM’s delicate negotiations.
But the president fudged his response when Sir Keir asked for a commitment of more US military support for security in Ukraine if a peace deal with Russia was agreed. The prime minister later said they had discussed a Ukraine peace deal that would be tough and fair.
Mr Trump indicated he would support the UK’s Chagos deal, despite uncertainty caused by fears that it could open up a vital UK-US military base, on Diego Garcia, to foreign interference.
The president said he and Sir Keir “get along famously” as they began their key talks.
Analysis from Political Editor David Maddox: ‘It could not have gone better for prime minister’
When ‘Mr Charisma’ met ‘Mr Logic’: body language expert’s verdict on the Trump-Starmer meeting
From the power of the handshakes, to their tender gestures during the televised Oval Office chat, and the way each stood apart during the later White House press conference, the pair could not be more “mismatched”, according to body language expert Caroline Goyder.
“Trump is the silverback, totally relaxed, totally grounded, you know, on his home turf. And the difference, it couldn’t be starker,” Ms Goyder told ITV on Thursday night after viewing footage of the US and UK leaders as they prepared to discuss advances in security and trade.
“Whatever you think about Donald Trump, he is Mr Charisma with Mr Logic… Mr Legal. And so it’s amazing, It’s like Mars and Venus.”
Read the full story here:
Opinion: Why Starmer is so wrong on foreign aid
The choice to cut foreign aid is egregious on so many levels, writes MP Andrew Mitchell:
Watch: Trump and Starmer’s first words to each other
Trump and Starmer’s first words to each other before crunch Ukraine talks
European nations must do more on defence, says PM
Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed he will meet leaders of 18 countries on Sunday to discuss the Ukraine war and stressed the importance of European countries doing more “in the defence and security of Europe”.
Asked whether he had been in discussions with other European countries about the peacekeeping deal and whether any Commonwealth countries may join, Sir Keir said: “Yes, I’ve spoken to a number of countries, particularly in the last few weeks.
“We had a meeting in Paris last week. I’ve got a meeting on Sunday with 18 countries to further our discussions.
“Obviously we’ve been talking quite intensely to our French colleagues and to Nato, but to other countries as well, because, as I say, I think it’s important for European countries including the United Kingdom to step up and do more in the defence and security of Europe and our continent and the United Kingdom, and we will do so.”
UK and US agree to ‘move forward’ on new economic deal involving tech and AI, Starmer says
One of the key takeaways from the meeting between Keir Starmer and Donald Trump was the potential for a trade agreement to be struck between both nations.
Trade has been a cause of major anxiety for the UK coming into the meeting after Trump announced tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, and the EU.
Trump praised Starmer’s negotiating skills and hinted both nations could avoid a deal without tariffs.
Here’s what Sir Keir had to tell Fox News: “Well, I think that the trading relationship between the US and UK is very good trading relationship.
“We’ve got billions invested in each other’s economies, and it’s fair and it’s balanced. There’s a surplus actually in favor of the US, so we’re in a different position to perhaps others.
“And what we’ve agreed today is to move forward to a new economic deal, and our teams are now starting to work on that, particularly on things like tech and AI.”
Starmer quizzed over King’s reaction to Trump’s proposed annexation of Canada
Sir Keir was asked what he believed the King thought about Trump’s desire to pull Canada into the United States, as the Monarch is the head of state in the Commonwealth country.
The prime minister declined to answer, saying it was not for him to speak on the King’s behalf regarding world affairs.
“His Majesty obviously will express himself in his own way, but it’s not for me to express his views,” he said.
However, he went on to celebrate the invitation from King Charles for Trump to visit the UK.
“This is a very special invitation, because it’s an invitation to the president from His Majesty the King for a second state visit. That’s unprecedented. That’s not happened before. That is history in the making, and I’m very pleased to be able to go back to His Majesty and tell him that President Trump has agreed,” he said.
PM flatters president but awkward ‘free speech’ moment
Starmer refers to exchange with JD Vance over free speech concerns
The interview has largely centred on the Ukraine war, however the prime minister was asked about vice president JD Vance’s comments during the recent Munich security conference, in which he warned European societies were infringing on free speech.
Sir Keir laughed as he recounted the exchange he and Mr Vance had during the Oval Office meeting earlier, in which he corrected the vice president over the UK’s record on free speech.
“Well, we actually had some exchanges today about things like freedom of speech,” he said during the interview.
“We got very well, by the way, we had a really good discussion over lunch, and I made clear we have had freedom of speech in the United Kingdom for a very, very long time and we guard it preciously,” Sir Keir said.
Starmer speaks to Fox News after Trump White House meeting
Keir Starmer is now holding an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier.
Sir Keir said the main message he was aiming to push while meeting with US president Donald Trump was the continuation of the “special relationship” between the UK and United States.
“It’s such a deep relationship covering defense, security, intelligence, trade. For years, we’ve been the closest of allies, and there’s a shared determination the president and I to take that forward to another level, and that’s why coming out today, our teams are going to be working on trade and working on security measures, particularly in relation to Ukraine,” he said.
