Keir Starmer’s US Trip Exceeds Expectations as He Builds Rapport with Trump

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No. 10 will likely see this US visit as a resounding success, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer managing to establish a genuine rapport with former President Donald Trump. Despite their stark differences, Trump appeared receptive to Starmer, reinforcing the idea that, for him, personal relationships are key.  

 

Ahead of the bilateral summit, those close to Starmer emphasized that the two leaders had developed a good relationship, with mutual respect and understanding. According to sources, the prime minister could speak candidly with Trump without fear of provoking a negative reaction. What unfolded confirmed this assessment—there was visible warmth between the two, and Trump appeared open to engaging with Starmer.  

 

For No. 10, this trip could not have gone better. One of the UK’s key priorities was securing US security guarantees for Ukraine in any potential peace deal with Russia, but Trump did not fully commit on that front. Despite this, Starmer will have much to discuss with European leaders at the upcoming London summit on Sunday.  

 

The most significant development from the press conference was the discussion on trade. Trump has been making headlines with threats of tariffs on US allies. While he did not explicitly rule out imposing tariffs on the UK, he expressed interest in negotiating a trade deal that might allow Britain to avoid them. This would be a major win for Starmer, who likely did not anticipate such a concession.

 

For a UK government eager to strengthen trade ties with the US to boost economic growth, this is a promising development. However, lingering questions remain over potential disagreements on key issues such as food standards and NHS access.  

 

Regardless of these challenges, Starmer will be pleased with how the visit unfolded. The trip not only bolstered his standing on the world stage but also positioned the UK favorably in ongoing negotiations with both the US and European allies.

 

Based on a report by Sky News  2025-03-01