UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with US President Donald Trump during his first visit to the White House. Here are the major highlights from their discussions and interactions with reporters before and after their talks.
1. A Surprise Letter from King Charles.
Sir Keir arrived at the meeting with a special message. Midway through their opening remarks, he reached into his jacket pocket and presented Trump with an official letter from King Charles III—an invitation for a second state visit to the UK.
Momentarily taken aback, Trump asked, “Am I supposed to read it right now?” After taking a minute to review the letter, he accepted the invitation, calling it an "honor" to visit the "fantastic" country. He went on to praise King Charles, calling him a "beautiful man, a wonderful man."
During Trump’s first term, he met King Charles’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, during a three-day state visit in 2019. Sir Keir noted that extending a second full state visit to a US president was "unprecedented."
2. Trump’s Commanding Presence.
Despite the cordial atmosphere, the Oval Office meeting made it clear that Trump intended to set the tone.
As seen in previous meetings with foreign leaders—most recently with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier that week—Trump took charge of the room, using the moment to push his own messages to the press.
During their half-hour discussion, Trump leaned in towards Sir Keir, who wore a nearly identical but slightly different-colored tie, and dominated the conversation. He also took control of selecting reporters for questions.
Later in the day, a joint press conference took on a more diplomatic tone. Both leaders stood at their respective lecterns, making efforts to compliment each other. Trump joked that with Sir Keir’s "beautiful" accent, he himself would have been elected president 20 years ago.
At one point, Sir Keir was asked about Trump’s controversial suggestion to make Canada—the Commonwealth member—the 51st US state. The UK prime minister responded, “I think you're trying to find a divide that doesn't exist.” Trump quickly interjected, saying, "That's enough," once again asserting control over the discussion.
3. Finding Common Ground?
Though their political styles and beliefs differ significantly, Trump pointed out a key similarity between them: “He loves his country, and so do I.”
He also noted that they "like each other" and appreciate each other's countries. However, he emphasized that the "common thread" between them was their shared patriotism.
4. Starmer’s Tough Negotiations on Trade and Ukraine.
Sir Keir came prepared to discuss difficult topics, including trade and US security assurances for Ukraine. At the start of their press conference, he described Trump as a "very tough negotiator."
When asked if he had persuaded Trump not to impose trade tariffs on the UK, Trump admitted, “He tried. He was working hard, I’ll tell you that. He earned whatever the hell they pay him over there.”
Despite this, Trump suggested there was a "very good chance" of a trade deal that would eliminate the need for tariffs, adding that such a deal could be finalized "pretty quickly." Sir Keir spoke about a "new economic deal with advanced technology at its core."
5. Trump ‘Inclined’ to Support UK’s Chagos Deal.
Trump signaled his willingness to support the UK’s ongoing negotiations over the Chagos Islands.
The UK is in discussions with Mauritius about transferring control of the islands while continuing to lease Diego Garcia, a key UK-US military airbase. Some US Republicans have expressed concerns that the deal could strengthen China’s strategic position.
However, Trump said he had a "feeling" that the agreement would "work out very well."
6. Trump Walks Back Zelensky Remarks.
Last week, Trump sparked controversy by referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "dictator" in a social media post—a claim echoing Russian narratives about Ukraine's postponed elections.
When BBC reporter Chris Mason asked about his statement, Trump responded, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I would say that.”
Later in the press conference, Trump softened his stance, calling Zelensky "very brave" and saying they had a good relationship. He also mentioned that progress toward peace between Ukraine and Russia would continue when Zelensky visits the White House on Friday, where they are expected to sign a major minerals deal.
7. Starmer Defends UK’s Free Speech Record.
At the recent Munich Security Conference, US Vice President JD Vance accused the UK and other European nations of restricting free speech, claiming that such restrictions also impacted American tech companies.
When questioned about these remarks, Trump invited Vance to defend his position. Vance argued that free speech issues extended beyond Britain, affecting American businesses and citizens.
Sir Keir quickly countered, stating, "We’ve had free speech for a very, very long time in the United Kingdom—and it will last for a very, very long time." He rejected Vance’s claims, expressing pride in the UK's long-standing commitment to free expression.
Conclusion:
The meeting between Starmer and Trump highlighted both areas of agreement and significant differences. While Trump maintained his commanding style and reinforced his key messages, Starmer sought to position the UK as a strong negotiating partner.
From trade and security to free speech and international diplomacy, the discussions touched on major global issues—though any concrete agreements will take time to materialize.
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