Keir Starmer leaves the White House a Winner
OSCAR GLYN
Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the White House for a conversation with Donald Trump. The President and the PM seem friendly, not too friendly for the anti-Trump British public, but demonstrative that Britain still has the president’s ear. A special relationship which has looked frail in the last months seems to have been strengthened and signs are promising.
The tone of Trump’s speech on Thursday was markedly different from Vice President JD Vance’s at the security conference in Munich earlier in February. Vance shocked European leaders saying: “What I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values.” Vance made frequent references to free speech laws and about how Europe was not doing enough regarding Ukraine, internal security and migration.
The Business Secretary of Starmer’s cabinet, Jonathan Reynolds, said on Sky News that: “We don’t have to agree on everything, and I think that’s one area we would disagree.”
Trump instead praised Starmer, calling him a “very tough negotiator” and in typical Trump fashion said, “The US and the UK have a special relationship. Very special.” The tone of the press conference was upbeat. Both leaders were eager to praise the other and recognise each other’s achievements.
Trump was enthusiastic regarding defence spending being raised in the UK to 2.5%. The President said: “It’s a great thing to do for your country. It’s a great thing to do.” The President, who for most of the conference was facing the media pack, turned to Starmer and addressed him directly across the stage in front of the backdrop of Union Jacks and Stars and Stripes.
The Government raised defence spending earlier this week but raised eyebrows regarding where they found the money. Cutting foreign aid spending from half a percent to 0.3% evoked comparison to the Department of Government Expenditure in the US, DOGE, headed up by Elon Musk. Many viewed it as a seduction tactic to Trump, but it is one that has evidently worked.
Regarding the peace deal Trump is championing in Ukraine, he said: “It will either be fairly soon or not at all.” Starmer knows that peace in Europe hinges upon American support and that wooing Trump is an important part of the process. Starmer said: “There’s no secret we’re from different political traditions, but there’s a lot we have in common.” Starmer is remaining firm. He is trying to not bend to Trump’s will and whims, and at the moment it doesn’t look as if he is. Starmer said, in perhaps the most powerful moment of the conference: “What counts is winning. If you don’t win, you don’t deliver.” Starmer wants to win. He wants to win trade; he wants to win Ukraine and he wants to win over the electorate.
Starmer frequently stroked the President’s ego during the press conference. He said: “It’s good to know that the United Kingdom has a true friend in the oval office.” He also praised the reinstallation of the Winston Churchill bust in the White House. Starmer also appealed to Trump in a comment about the United Kingdom’s golf scene.
Handshakes were incessant between the two leaders as both appeared to grapple for visual power. It was still certainly less of an intimate meeting than our European friends, the French. French President, Emmanuel Macron and Trump couldn’t quite resist keeping their hands to themselves during their Monday meeting.
Starmer arrived at the White House after Macron but seems to have left with the better deal. Whilst certainly pandering to Trump, he has seemingly secured guarantees that closely align with Britain’s future in the world economic order. A promise of a new trade deal and more assurances regarding Ukraine dominated the meeting. Additionally, Trump said he was ‘inclined’ to back the UK’s deal with Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands. Press reports have estimated the cost of the deal to return Chagos at around £9bn pounds. Trump previously spoke negatively regarding the upcoming deal but has now said “I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well.” He added, “I think we’ll be inclined to go along with your country.”
An unprecedented second state visit excited the second term President. Trump himself, frequently echoed how he would be the first president to receive this honour twice and showed off to the press a letter sent from King Charles himself. Photos were able to be taken of the letter and the King has asked Trump to play golf with him and visit Balmoral or Dumfries, two of the Monarch’s residents.
Starmer didn’t bend the knee. Trump didn’t wither to all that Starmer is presumed to ask for. Diplomacy was evidently on show and Elon Musk was nowhere to be seen. Starmer returns to No. 10 this week after making a strong showing in the USA. He is able to show developments and promises from across the pond. Starmer has secured British interests in America and Europe and the President seems to be on his side. Starmer summarised the tone in answer to a press conference question saying: “I think you’re trying to find a divide between us which doesn’t exist. We are the closest of nations.”
Featured Image: No.10 from Flickr