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 🙂
Testing hello.
hello.
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.
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.