In a recent interview with the New York Times, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer discussed his ongoing relationship with US President Donald Trump, asserting that they have a “good relationship” and that he “likes and respects” him. This statement comes amid a backdrop of contentious comments from members of the Trump administration towards the UK, particularly remarks made by Vice-President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff, which have received criticism.

In the interview, Sir Keir expressed his views on the shifting global landscape, noting that Europe is entering a phase of re-armament while the United States appears to be attempting to lessen its defence commitments to the continent. He reflected on the recent mixed signals emanating from the White House regarding the UK, particularly as the Trump administration navigates its foreign policy agenda.

Vance has recently sparked controversy by dismissing a British military peacekeeping force in Ukraine, calling it “some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years.” Meanwhile, Witkoff praised Vladimir Putin and critiqued Downing Street’s approaches to maintaining a ceasefire in Ukraine as “simplistic.” Despite these sentiments from his administration, Trump remains personally connected to Starmer, as the Prime Minister noted they have maintained a solid rapport.

During the interview, Sir Keir remarked, “On a person-to-person basis, I think we have a good relationship, I like and respect him. I understand what he’s trying to achieve.” This demonstrates his willingness to navigate potentially adverse comments from Trump’s officials while maintaining a constructive dialogue.

The Prime Minister also highlighted a more formal aspect of their relationship, revealing that during their latest meeting in the Oval Office, he extended a personal invitation from King Charles III for Trump to undertake a second state visit to the UK. Trump reportedly accepted this invitation with enthusiasm. Their previous connections have also been underscored by Trump’s appreciation for meetings with the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The atmosphere during their recent encounter was described as cordial, although some tension arose when Vance questioned the UK’s commitment to free speech, to which Starmer firmly responded, “we’ve had free speech for a very long time, it will last a long time, and we are very proud of that.”

In the same vein, Vance made headlines again when he openly labelled Ukrainian leader President Volodymyr Zelensky as “disrespectful,” following which Zelensky left the White House in a palpable state of discontent, ultimately forgoing a proposed mineral deal to fly to London instead.

The relationship between the UK and the US remains a focal point of interest, particularly in political discussions where the prospect of upcoming state visits and international collaborations take centre stage. This narrative illustrates the complex dynamics of diplomacy as it unfolds between leaders and their representatives on global issues.

Source: Noah Wire Services