It’ll be Keir Starmer’s turn for an audience with the US President during his golf holiday to Scotland – here’s what we think will be on the agenda
Donald Trump and Keir Starmer will sit down for a cosy chat at his golf course in Scotland on Monday – as the US President continues his golf holiday.
Trump has been seen swanning around his Turnberry resort since arriving on Friday, in a motorcade of more than two dozen golf carts.
Tonight, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen will arrive at the South Ayrshire resort for an audience with him – in a last ditch bid to secure a trade deal for the EU.
Trump this morning put the chances of that happening at 50-50.
And tomorrow it’ll be Mr Starmer’s turn – but what will be on the agenda when the pair sit down for their meeting?
Here’s three things they’ll definitely talk about – plus one they almost certainly won’t.
Trade
Trump and Starmer will chew over some of the finer details of the trade deal they agreed in May.
The White House has indicated the two leaders would discuss ways to “refine” the deal when they meet in Scotland.
But on arriving at Prestwick airport on Friday, Trump seemed to indicate he considered the deal finalised and settled.
“I think it’s more of a celebration than a workout,” he said.
“It’s a great deal for both, and we’re going to have a meeting on other things, other than the deal. The deal is concluded.”
UK negotiators, on the other hand, are kind of hoping things aren’t quite that final.
And with Trump inking a deal with the EU worth more than £1 trillion, we imagine some tweaks may be requested.
“The UK was the first country to agree a deal with the US that lowered tariffs on key sectors and has received one of the lowest reciprocal tariff rates in the world,” a No10 spokesperson said.
“The Government is working at pace with the US to go further to deliver benefits to working people on both sides of the Atlantic and to give UK industry the security it needs, protect vital jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets through the Plan for Change.”
Gaza
A Number 10 spokesperson said they’ll discuss “what more can be done to secure the ceasefire urgently, bring an end to the unspeakable suffering and starvation in Gaza and free the hostages who have been held so cruelly for so long”.
Ceasefire talks ground to a halt this week after the US and Israel pulled their negotiating teams from Qatar.
White House special envoy Steve Witkoff accused Hamas of a “lack of desire” to reach an agreement.
Mr Starmer is expected to praise Trump on his country’s work with Qatar and Egypt towards a ceasefire – and press him to help revive talks.
Ukraine
Securing peace in Ukraine will also be high on the agenda, Number 10 say.
The PM and President will talk about their shared desire to bring an end to the war – and will reflect on progress in their 50-day plan to arm Ukraine and pressure Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
And they almost certainly won’t talk about…
Jeffrey Epstein
Donald Trump has gone to great lengths to get people to talk about literally anything other than the questions about his relationship with dead paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in recent weeks.
And while he hasn’t quite got his wish – the scandal was still the main topic of discussion on America’s morning political programmes today – it’s unlikely Keir Starmer will choose to poke that particular bear.
On the other hand, a small group of journalists will get into an Oval Office-style spray with the PM and President before the meeting kicks off in the morning – and perhaps someone will bring it up.