Donald Trump will meet Keir Starmer in the coming weeks, it has emerged, following the Prime Minister’s vow that Ukraine cannot be locked out of talks on ending the war
Donald Trump has insisted an upcoming meeting with Keir Starmer was the request of the Prime Minister.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, the President gave a brusk, six-word answer to a question about what the meeting concerns. He said: “It was his request not mine.”
Mr Trump signed an executive order on Friday, which could slap the UK with 21% tariffs. During an unhinged 24-hour period, he Republican warned “every country” the US has a trade deficit with will be affected by his next move – and so the UK risks “getting caught in the crosshairs”.
It is believed Mr Starmer will meet his counterpart in the US in the coming weeks. Mr Trump, 78, said: “We’re going to have a friendly meeting – very good. We have a lot of good things going on but he has to come and see me and I just accepted his asking… I’ve met him twice already. We get along very well – he’s a very nice guy.”
Mr Trump and Mr Starmer have had a lengthy phone call since the maverick returned to power in the US. It is understood they discussed security in the Middle East, the economy and the close ties between Britain and the US.
But since then, the unpredictable President has set his sights on VAT charges, a move which could wipe billions from our economy. In November, an expert claimed Mr Trump will regard our PM as a “lightweight woke lefty” and will not trust him.
Nile Gardiner, director of The Heritage Foundation’s Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, had said Mr Trump would view Mr Starmer, 62, as a “novice” when it comes to negotiating.
Yet, the US leader praised Mr Starmer in his press conference on Friday. A date for their meeting is yet to be finalised but expected in early March.
Speaking after their phone call last month, A No10 spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump’s special envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night, during which he took a call from President Trump and discussed his forthcoming visit to the US.”