The unflattering description of the US President from Neil Kinnock came as the ex-Labour leader hit out at the Mr Trump’s ‘completely inexcusable’ global tariff policy.
Donald Trump has been branded a “baby with a hand grenade in a shop specialising in crockery and glass”.
The unflattering description of the US President from Neil Kinnock came as the ex-Labour leader hit out at the Mr Trump’s “completely inexcusable” global tariff policy.
He warned it will inflict “terrible damage” on world trade and the American public. But he praised Keir Starmer, who has negotiated a deal with the US, for “playing a very, very difficult hand, extremely well” in relations with the erratic American President.
READ MORE: Putin warns of nuclear war after unleashing another night of hell on Ukraine
READ MORE: Donald Trump’s mental state ‘clear to see’ as lawmakers urged to ‘act now’
Lord Kinnock said: “It’s a recognition of where Britain really is in the modern world. The Prime Minister knows when he’s dealing with a capricious, immature, ultimately powerful man, then he’s not dealing with anything remotely normal in international relations.
“He knows Donald Trump could on a tantrum and inflict terrible damage on our country. If he can keep Trump near stability and consistency he’s done very well.”
READ MORE: ‘Scrap Tory two-child benefit limit to lift kids out poverty’ Neil Kinnock says
It comes as Mr Trump prepares to jet to the UK on Air Force Once for an “unprecedented” second state visit in September. He was handed the invitation from King Charles during his first face-to-face meeting with Mr Starmer in the Oval Office back in February.
Asked whether the PM was right to extend the invitation, Lord Kinnock told The Mirror : “We use whatever means we have.”
Recalling a tip from his late wife, Glenys Kinnock, he said: “I remember I had broken the radiator belt in my mini, and Glenys came up with a brilliant idea of using her tights, which I did, and it got us home.
“The tights, I could tie them tight enough to replicate the belt. And got me home. International politics is a bit like that with Donald Trump around.
“I mean he’s a baby with a hand grenade in a shop specialising in crockery and glass.”
He added: “He’s got to be dealt with in the same way that the brave people who defuse bombs do it. Quite extraordinary in their courage. Keir doesn’t have to show quite the level of bravery, but he’s got to be just as delicate with his spanner and his screwdriver.”
READ MORE: Join our Mirror politics WhatsApp group to get the latest updates from Westminster