Prime Minister Keir Starmer will today give one of the most important press conferences of his premiership – as he takes to the stage with US President Donald Trump
Keir Starmer will today give one of the most important press conferences of his premiership – as he takes to the stage with Donald Trump.
The Prime Minister will be in front of TV cameras at a joint presser with the US President at 2:30pm this afternoon. Mr Starmer will be hoping to focus on hailing £150billion of US investment in Britain as well as a new UK-US tech deal to develop world-leading medical technology.
But the press conference – which will take place at the PM’s grace-and-favour manor Chequers – risks being overshadowed by domestic politics, with UK reporters having the chance to ask the world leaders questions.
In the last fortnight, Mr Starmer has lost his Deputy PM Angela Rayner, his Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson and his No10 Director of Strategy Paul Ovenden. He has faced questions over his political judgement and even some calls for him to stand aside as PM.
It is the first press conference Mr Starmer will have held since the rows and scandals erupted, so he is likely to be grilled over his handling of them. And the unpredictability of the questions could also pose uncomfortable moments for Mr Trump.
Lord Mandelson’s sacking after newly uncovered emails revealed the depth of his friendship with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is an especially sensitive topic. Back in the US, Mr Trump has also faced questions over his relationship with the billionaire predator.
Earlier this month, the The White House denied that an alleged letter from Mr Trump as part of Epstein’s “birthday book” is authentic. The book, which was released by a US House committee, features a drawing of a woman’s body, which was allegedly signed by Mr Trump under a line reading: “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Mr Trump has said he fell out with Epstein in the early 2000s and claims the note is fake. But the topic of Epstein being raised could lead to an uncomfortable moment for the Republican politician at the press conference.
Elsewhere, Ms Rayner’s resignation as Deputy PM and Housing Secretary after she admitted not paying enough stamp duty on her new home could put Mr Starmer in an awkward situation if he is forced to answer questions on the row while standing next to Mr Trump.
The PMs plan to formally recognise Palestine – which he is reportedly leaving to do until after Mr Trump’s visit – could also be a touchy subject. Mr Starmer could also facing a testing moment if free speech is raised – which the US President unexpectedly referred to in his state banquet speech last night – given some high-profile US politicians have been critical of the UK’s online safety laws.
The Prime Minister, who is expected to try to woo Mr Trump into a better trade deal for Britain when they meet ahead of the press conference, will be hoping he can focus on touting positive announcements between the US and UK.
Before flying to Britain on Tuesday, Mr Trump told reporters UK officials want to continue trade negotiations. “They’d like to see if they can get a little bit better deal,” he said.
An agreement signed in May reduces US tariffs in the aerospace and auto sectors, with no deal yet reached to slash tariffs on steel, pharmaceuticals and aluminium.