US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for his performance, stating he has done an “excellent job thus far.” Trump also noted that the two leaders share a “very good relationship.”
In an interview with the BBC aboard Air Force One, Trump discussed his relationship with Sir Keir, revealing that they are expected to have a call “over the next 24 hours.”
Former President Trump and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer have held multiple meetings, including Starmer’s visit to Trump Tower in New York during the presidential campaign.
Elon Musk, a tech billionaire and former President Trump’s ally, has strongly criticized Sir Keir and repeatedly urged his ouster from office.
“I have a good rapport with him.” Trump enormously admired Sir Keir, stating, “I like him a lot.”
“While his liberal views differ from mine, I believe he is a commendable individual who has performed admirably in his role to date.”He has served as a representative of his nation in philosophy.
“While I might not align with his philosophy, our relationship remains strong.”
Trump addressed reporters during a visit to the press room aboard the presidential plane on Saturday.
When questioned about his potential first international trip during a second term, he was also prompted to discuss his relationship with Sir Keir.
Speculation surrounds potential candidates, with Saudi Arabia and the UK emerging as notable possibilities. “Traditionally, it could be the UK,” he stated.
“During my most recent visit to Saudi Arabia, the country committed to purchasing $450 billion worth of American merchandise.”
Following Donald Trump’s re-election in November, Sir Keir Starmer spoke with the former president on the phone. Downing Street reported that both leaders acknowledged the “incredibly strong” relationship between the UK and the US, expressing confidence that it would “continue to thrive.”
In a statement made last week, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that Sir Keir is scheduled to visit Washington for discussions with Trump “within the next few weeks.”
The government faces many diplomatic hurdles, notably Trump’s commitments to implement trade tariffs and reduce US assistance to Ukraine.
The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s potential agreement to the UK’s proposal regarding the cession of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands persists. This territory hosts a joint US-UK military base. While the UK has indicated that the new US administration will have the opportunity to “consider” the deal, the outcome remains ambiguous.
Questions continue to emerge regarding Trump’s potential acceptance of Sir Keir’s nomination of former Labour minister Lord Peter Mandelson for the position of British ambassador to Washington.
In a recent statement, Chris LaCivita, co-manager of Donald Trump’s election campaign, referred to Lord Mandelson as “an absolute moron” and suggested that he “should stay home.”
Earlier this month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who serves as an adviser to the president, took to his X social media platform to criticize Starmer regarding the grooming gangs scandal. Musk accused the prime minister of being “deeply complicit in the mass rapes in exchange for votes.”
Sir Keir, who served as director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013, has responded to critics by accusing them of “spreading lies and misinformation,” asserting that he addressed prosecutions “head-on.”
Lammy has referred to his previous criticism of the president, expressed during his time as a backbencher, as “old news.”
In 2018, he characterized Trump as a “tyrant” and labeled him a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathizing sociopath.” However, the foreign secretary has since dined with Trump in the prime minister’s company.
