Starmer’s ambitions for a Trump trade deal have run into a big problem – JD Vance
Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreSince the beginning of the year, there has been a marked difference between the effusive and slightly over-the-top kind words Donald Trump has used about Keir Starmer and the appalling things his key supporters have been saying about the prime minister. This, along with the contemptuous briefings against him and his government.But this last week, all has become crystal clear about the mafia boss-style game Trump is using in his relations with his beloved UK – the land of his mother. And his political heavy JD “knuckle dusters” Vance is a big part of that strategy.It was highlighted in the Oval Office in the afterglow of Trump getting the letter from the King he had hankered for, asking him to be the first person in history to get a second state visit to the UK.A reporter asked a question about vice-president JD Vance’s attack on Britain in his incredibly hostile Munich speech where he claimed Starmer’s government was engaged in an assault on free speech, not least with its plans to impose laws restricting online and social media activity.Trump and Starmer hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington DC More