UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, marking a significant moment in UK-US relations. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including Ukraine, defence cooperation, and economic collaboration.
During the meeting, Starmer highlighted Trump’s personal ties to the UK, particularly his Scottish heritage and his connection to King Charles III.
“With your family roots in Scotland and your close bond with His Majesty the King, it’s good to know that the United Kingdom has a true friend in the Oval Office,” Starmer said.
Trump’s Scottish ancestry has long been a point of discussion in his relationship with the UK. His mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland before emigrating to the United States. Trump himself has frequently referenced his ties to Scotland, where he owns golf courses, and has positioned his connection to the UK as a personal and political strength.
The US-UK relationship, described as the “special relationship,” was a key focus of the meeting. Starmer stressed the importance of transatlantic cooperation, particularly in defence and security.
“No two militaries are more intertwined than ours. No two countries have done more together to keep people safe,” Starmer said, referencing the long history of joint operations between the UK and US. He also made a historical comparison to World War II, drawing parallels between the current geopolitical landscape and past allied efforts.
“In a few weeks, we mark VE Day, the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe. Britain and America fought side by side to make that happen, one of the greatest moments in our history. We stand side by side still today.”
A key takeaway from the meeting was Starmer’s willingness to commit UK forces in support of a peace deal in Ukraine.
“I am clear that the UK is ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air to support a deal, working together with our allies, because that is the only way that peace will last,” he stated.
Starmer also announced an increase in UK defence spending, calling it the largest sustained increase since the Cold War.
Beyond defence, economic ties were another major focus of the discussions. The UK and US are two of the largest investors in each other’s economies, with over $1.5 trillion in investments and millions of jobs supported on both sides of the Atlantic. Starmer and Trump agreed to deepen economic ties with a focus on advanced technology and artificial intelligence.
“We’ve decided today to go further to begin work on a new economic deal with advanced technology at its core,” Starmer said, positioning the UK as a leading partner in global technological advancements.
The meeting also set the stage for a historic second state visit by Trump to the UK, an unprecedented event for a sitting US president.
“It was my privilege and honour to bring a letter with me today from His Majesty the King, not only sending his best wishes but also inviting the President and the First Lady to make a state visit to the United Kingdom,” Starmer said. Trump accepted the invitation, with details to be worked out in the coming weeks.
With Trump expected to visit the UK soon, the meeting marked a reset in UK-US relations, reinforcing historical ties and outlining future cooperation in defence, security, and economic development.
Interesting given the telegraph article today suggesting that US officials were suggesting the UK reduce its reliance on the US.
Starmar played a real blinder today, thank god for state visits, imag8ne how bad that would have been with Kemi Badenoch up their or even Rishi Sunak.
after being treated like s**t by successive Democratic Presidents it was nice to have a US president speak well of the UK and our deep cultural and military ties.
It’s unfortunate that those words had to come out of a Tangerine gobshite like Donald Trump.
Interestingly the Donald is now in favour of the Diego Garcia deal so I guess Nigel Farage was full of shit in the end.
Well we will see when the Chinese build a spy base on the next island over from Diego Garcia won’t we?
If you could get over your crush on Starmer you would see it’s a lot more people worried than just him!
Farage not Starmer🙄
Most US officials don’t work for Donald Trump or support him, I’m sure they are giving the UK wise advice not to rely on the US.
The Telegraph is no longer reliable imo, and routinely inserts fictions and political angles in its news articles.
If you check it on standard media metrics, it’s brand is trashed.
No Julia and her 20k a month on this thread yet 🙂
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Thanks George, much appreciated
The PM is right.
How odd
I like Starmer, and well done for his excellent efforts in diplomacy – but the writing is on the wall. We require a more robust approach to security and we must, MUST reduce reliance on US assets.
He’s John Major Mk2, remember the Spitting Image version?
If Trump is unleashing might is right & pursuing19th/early 20th century colonialism in its most cynical & greedy terms, while making the USA authoratarian & intolarant of dissent, then we must disintangle ourselves. Hopefully the US will wise up, but we must not be pulled into the abyss if Trump becomes par for the course.
Trump is feeding the narrative that the US is paying for everyone else and is telling his base he is putting in a massive bill. It plays well at home and confuses everyone else. If Trump gains some interests in Ukraine he will need to defend them or he will look stupid.
Sure the UK might well lead a muli-national effort in Ukraine but it will almost certainly be under a NATO banner which means any attack against British or European forces will get a NATO reponse as well as a Ukraine response. Putin will use this as a way to get out of an unpopular war at home and attempt to hold his head high.
Frank 62, Trump is more than par for the course. Trump and Maga are one and the same. They are now abandoning every thing for the law of the jungle where the strong survive and the weak die or become servant. Their trashing of DEI is a paper thin racist attack and also a cleansing of disabled, handicap people. Old Donnie just insulted all of America : ” bloated, fat, disgusting, incompetent”. Looks like no one measures up except for billionaires such as Musk who gives sieg heil salutes.
Wasn’t Starmer treated like a poodle he is?As the US pivots towards fascism by purging free press, purging/ignoring the judiciary, ignoring treaties, attacking allies and abandoning Western democracy. Its leader a convicted criminal & sex offender – is left unsentenced for his crimes. He hasn’t even faced his insurrection, or selling secrets cases.
As Trump aligns himself with Putin, Xi and North Korea why would we want to be involved with a country that doesn’t share values? The Tate extradition case will be a good test of integrity- unless of course Bedfordshire police are pressured into not asking for extradition….. All sex offenders and traffickers flock together in Mar el Lago?
purging free press? It’s the UK who jails people for what they write online, not the US. “hate speech” as determined by whatever political party it suits most.
This is turning into a political website not a defence website, and it’s putting a lot of industry and service people off engaging in dialogue. You need to think about that George.
This thread is 100% political, look at the title
It’s of no interest to both: it’s dull.
No, UKDJ is not turning into a political website. Security and governmenental policies intertwine. If a close ally sets off down a wrong road in its political, defence and foreign policies, that is a matter of serious concern to all.
The issue here is that our security posture and military dependence on the USA have suddenly become far less assured. The democratic West’s adherence to nternational law is now being undermined by US policy, as seen in the UN vote, acceptance of Russian invasio, Gaza displacement plan.
These issues affect Western security and political cohesion. It is perfectly legitimate to comment on and criticise the new US policy direction, because it impacts considerably on NATO and our security. If any allied governing party starts heading in a contrary and unacceptable political direction, it needs to be called.out, whether Hungary, Slovakia of the USA.
Typical view: it’s simply your opinion and as such, is of no interest to anyone in industry.
It might not align with your rather dogmatic view, but tough, that’s the nature of a discussion forum.
Grown ups in the defence industry, at least at a senior level, well understand the interconnection between politics and defence, it’s their bread and butter. I don’t know why you appoint yourself to speak for industry.
Visit was friendly and respectful, just like it was with Macron.
I appalaud both their efforts and they acted like proper statesmen however it looks like Trump won’t budge on providing a US backstop or any security guarantees for Ukraine
Today is act 3, the Zelinsky visit. I am sure it will be polite, etc.. but i can’t shake off the feeling that Trump deeply dislikes Zelinsky. (since the “perfect phone call” in 2019)
Like Han Solo said, i got a bad feeling. I hope that I am wrong.
You weren’t wrong..
it’s not a party political thing, but I cannot warm to starmer or the clowns that make up his cabinet. nor do I trust this government to do any better than the last shower of*t managed to ruin