Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to US President Donald Trump in an impromptu phone call on Thursday, during which they discussed a “forthcoming” visit to the United States. The conversation comes at a time when the US stance on Ukraine and Nato has diverged from that of its Western allies, raising questions over the impact on transatlantic relations.
Trump confirms meeting with Starmer
Speaking to reporters from the White House on Friday, Mr Trump reflected on the phone call, stating:
“He asked for a meeting and I agreed to the meeting. We’re going to have a friendly meeting—very good. We have a lot of good things going on. But he asked to come and see me, and I just accepted his asking.”
When pressed for further details, Mr Trump suggested that the meeting could take place “very soon,” adding:
“I think he wants to come next week or the week after.”
Downing street’s response
Earlier on Friday, Downing Street confirmed that Sir Keir and the President discussed the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to the US in their Thursday phone call. The conversation reportedly took place while Sir Keir was hosting Mark Burnett, Washington’s special envoy to the UK.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said:
“The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump’s special envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night, during which he took a call from President Trump and discussed his forthcoming visit to the US.”
She emphasised the importance of the UK-US relationship, stating:
“Mr Burnett and the Prime Minister agreed on the unique and special nature of the UK-US relationship, the strength of our alliance, and the warmth of the connection between the two countries.”
A photograph released by the US embassy showed Sir Keir speaking to the President via phone while dining at 10 Downing Street, accompanied by Mr Burnett and US chargé d’affaires Matthew Palmer.
Previous meeting and transatlantic relations
Sir Keir and Mr Trump previously met in September at Trump Tower in New York, ahead of the US presidential election. Their meeting took place while the Prime Minister was attending the UN General Assembly.
On Friday, Mr Trump suggested that the two leaders had met “twice” and described Sir Keir as a “very nice guy.”
The proposed visit to the US comes amid growing economic and geopolitical concerns, including the threat of new trade tariffs imposed by the White House. Mr Trump has vowed to implement “reciprocal tariffs” on countries that impose additional costs on US goods, a policy that could have significant implications for the UK.
The full impact of this policy on Britain remains unclear, but VAT has been explicitly listed as a target for reciprocal tariffs.
Discussions on Ukraine and Nato
The diplomatic landscape is further complicated by the ongoing war in Ukraine, where US policy under the Trump administration appears to be at odds with European allies.
US Vice President JD Vance has been attending the Munich Security Conference, where he met UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Friday. Their discussions focused on the conflict in Ukraine, amid growing concerns over long-term Western support for Kyiv.
At the conference, Mr Vance also criticised the UK over a legal case involving a former serviceman convicted of silently praying outside an abortion clinic.
In a broader critique of European policies, Mr Vance warned of a shift away from democratic values, claiming that “the basic liberties of religious Britons, in particular,” are under threat.
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Concerns over Chagos Islands deal
Another potential point of contention between the UK and the US is Britain’s proposed deal with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands. The agreement would see the UK transfer sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory while leasing back Diego Garcia, a strategically vital military base used by the US.
Mr Trump’s allies have expressed scepticism over the arrangement, raising concerns about the future of the base’s operations. Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam confirmed earlier this week that the US will have a seat at negotiations regarding the islands’ future.
A statement from the Mauritian government emphasised:
“Mauritius has shown openness and willingness to find common ground by accepting the presence of a representative from the new administration in the United States of America in the negotiations so as to further strengthen the process.”
Implications of Starmer’s US visit
With tensions rising over trade, military commitments, and geopolitical strategy, Sir Keir’s upcoming visit to Washington will be closely watched. The meeting could provide an opportunity for the UK to clarify its stance on key international issues, while also seeking assurances on future trade relations and security cooperation.
While Mr Trump has signalled his willingness to engage in dialogue, the UK government will have to navigate a complex and shifting political landscape as it seeks to maintain strong ties with its closest ally.
