Donald Trump opens door to US-UK ‘actual commerce deal’ in assembly with Starmer

Donald Trump has opened the door to a doable US-UK commerce deal with out tariffs after a gathering with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

As a part of a European attraction offensive launched to safe a long-lasting peace in Ukraine, following on from French President Emmanuel Macron’s personal journey on Monday, Sir Keir met the US president on the White Home yesterday.

It comes forward of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s personal go to to Washington right now.

In the course of the assembly and a subsequent information convention, the 2 world leaders exchanged heat phrases – Mr Trump described Sir Keir as a “particular man” and a “nice gentleman”, whereas the British PM praised the US chief for “altering the dialog” on Ukraine.

The Republican president has slapped tariffs on a lot of nations within the early weeks of his first time period, together with utilizing them to strain allies into motion.

However he hinted the UK might keep away from that destiny.

Mr Trump mentioned he thought the UK and US might find yourself with a “actual commerce deal” with out tariffs and known as Sir Keir a “powerful negotiator” who had tried to influence him to not impose commerce tariffs on the UK.

“He was working arduous, I will inform you that,” the president added.

“He earned regardless of the hell they pay him over there, however he tried.

“I feel there’s an excellent likelihood that within the case of those two nice, pleasant nations, I feel we might very effectively find yourself with an actual commerce deal the place the tariffs would not be obligatory. We’ll see.”

Trump’s ‘nice heat spot’

The surprisingly constructive assembly adopted latest weeks wherein it appeared the transatlantic relationship had come below pressure – following Mr Trump’s intervention to attempt to deliver concerning the finish of the struggle in Ukraine.

Mr Trump spoke concerning the UK, saying: “I’ve investments there, I personal Turnberry, I personal Aberdeen, and I personal an amazing place known as Doonbeg in Eire [Ireland isn’t in the UK].

“So, I’ve an amazing heat spot to your nation.”

Ukraine and Chagos Islands

The important thing motive for the go to was to attempt to deliver a few sustainable peace in Ukraine.

Sir Keir adopted Mr Macron into the Oval Workplace in an effort to win over Mr Trump after his administration held unilateral talks with Russia final week, with out Ukraine, in a transfer that set off sirens all through Europe’s capitals.

Nevertheless, Mr Trump supplied no safety ensures throughout the assembly with Sir Keir and the 2 leaders struck totally different tones.

Whereas Mr Trump mentioned “if it [a peace deal] would not occur shortly, it could not occur in any respect”, Sir Keir mentioned “historical past should be on the aspect of the peacemaker, not the invader”.

The actions of Sir Keir and Mr Macron mirrored a continent jolted into motion.

Sir Keir not too long ago introduced a historic hike in defence spending as effectively – one thing Mr Trump has beforehand known as for.

Mr Zelenskyy is making the identical journey to the US the place he’ll sit down and thrash out a doable deal on essential minerals in Ukraine.

The financial deal has confirmed an important precursor of any potential peace settlement.

Mr Trump has mentioned it could see American employees in Ukraine – one thing that will act as an efficient backstop to any peacekeeping forces there, he claimed.

On the Chagos Islands deal, over which some have criticised Sir Keir, Mr Trump mentioned the plan to surrender sovereignty and lease again the US-UK base would “work out effectively”.

Learn extra:
What we will learn from Trump’s royal invite
Starmer contradicts Vance over free speech declare

A royal invitation and items

Earlier than talks between the 2 sides, Sir Keir produced, with a flourish, a letter from the King written to Mr Trump, inviting him for an “unprecedented” second state go to.

The letter, marked “non-public and confidential”, invited the royal-loving president to the UK, with talks forward of the formal state go to to debate logistics and a possible programme.

The 2 world leaders additionally exchanged items, with the prime minister giving Mr Trump a household tartan golf cap and Downing Avenue golf balls, amongst different items – and receiving a US soccer shirt along with his surname and quantity 10 on the again.

Busy week for Starmer

On Sunday, Sir Keir will spherical off a busy worldwide week with a string of overseas engagements that embody welcoming President Zelenskyy to Downing Avenue and convening a summit of European leaders in London for discussions on Ukraine – constructing on a gathering in Paris earlier this month.

He may also chair a name with Baltic nations and welcome Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni.

In an interview with The Spectator, held after the US-UK assembly, Mr Trump reportedly mentioned he was shocked how effectively he and Sir Keir bought alongside, and touched on the scenario in Ukraine as effectively.

Describing it as a “vicious struggle” he spoke about North Korea’s entrance into the combating, saying: “They realized the arduous method… they’ve suffered great casualties.”

In the identical interview, the outlet reported that former US president Joe Biden blamed his Democratic successor Barack Obama in addition to Nancy Pelosi for his election loss.