Sir Keir Starmer’s trip to the White House comes ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s own visit to meet with Donald Trump later today.
Friday 28 February 2025 08:55, UK
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n
Donald Trump has opened the door to a possible US-UK trade deal without tariffs after a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
As part of a European charm offensive launched to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine, following on from French President Emmanuel Macron’s own trip on Monday, Sir Keir met the US president at the White House yesterday.
It comes ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s own visit to Washington today.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n
During the meeting and a subsequent news conference, the two world leaders exchanged warm words – Mr Trump described Sir Keir as a “special man” and a “great gentleman”, while the British PM praised the US leader for “changing the conversation” on Ukraine. The actions of Sir Keir and Mr Macron reflected a continent jolted into action.
‘Tough negotiator’<\/strong>
The Republican president has slapped tariffs on a number of countries in the early weeks of his first term, including using them to pressure allies into action.
But he hinted the UK could avoid that fate.
Mr Trump said he thought the UK and US could end up with a “real trade deal” without tariffs and called Sir Keir a “tough negotiator” who had tried to persuade him not to impose trade tariffs on the UK.
“He was working hard, I’ll tell you that,” the president added.
“He earned whatever the hell they pay him over there, but he tried.
“I think there’s a very good chance that in the case of these two great, friendly countries, I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn’t be necessary. We’ll see.”
Trump’s ‘great warm spot’<\/strong>
The surprisingly positive meeting followed recent weeks in which it appeared the transatlantic relationship had come under strain – following Mr Trump’s intervention to try to bring about the end of the war in Ukraine.
Mr Trump spoke about the UK, saying: “I have investments there, I own Turnberry, I own Aberdeen, and I own a great place called Doonbeg in Ireland [Ireland isn’t in the UK].
“So, I have a great warm spot for your country.”
Ukraine and Chagos Islands<\/strong>
The key reason for the visit was to try to bring about a sustainable peace in Ukraine.
Sir Keir followed Mr Macron into the Oval Office in an effort to win over Mr Trump after his administration held unilateral talks with Russia last week, without Ukraine, in a move that set off sirens throughout Europe’s capitals.
However, Mr Trump offered no security guarantees during the meeting with Sir Keir and the two leaders struck different tones.
While Mr Trump said “if it [a peace deal] doesn’t happen quickly, it may not happen at all”, Sir Keir said “history must be on the side of the peacemaker, not the invader”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n
Sir Keir recently announced a historic hike in defence spending<\/a><\/strong> as well – something Mr Trump has previously called for.
Mr Zelenskyy is making the same trip to the US where he will sit down and thrash out a possible deal on critical minerals in Ukraine<\/a><\/strong>.
Follow our channel and never miss an update
The economic deal has proven a crucial precursor of any potential peace agreement.
Mr Trump has said it would see American workers in Ukraine – something that would act as an effective backstop to any peacekeeping forces there, he claimed.
On the Chagos Islands deal<\/a><\/strong>, over which some have criticised Sir Keir, Mr Trump said the plan to give up sovereignty and lease back the US-UK base would “work out well”.
Read more:<\/strong>
What we can read from Trump’s royal invite<\/strong><\/a>
Starmer contradicts Vance over free speech claim<\/a><\/strong>
Be the first to get Breaking News<\/span>
Install the Sky News app for free
A royal invitation and gifts<\/strong>
Before talks between the two sides, Sir Keir produced, with a flourish, a letter from the King written to Mr Trump, inviting him for an “unprecedented” second state visit.
The letter, marked “private and confidential”, invited the royal-loving president to the UK, with talks ahead of the formal state visit to discuss logistics and a potential programme.
The two world leaders also exchanged gifts, with the prime minister giving Mr Trump a family tartan golf cap and Downing Street golf balls, among other gifts – and receiving a US football shirt with his surname and number 10 on the back.
Busy week for Starmer<\/strong>
On Sunday, Sir Keir will round off a busy international week with a string of foreign engagements that include welcoming President Zelenskyy to Downing Street and convening a summit of European leaders in London for discussions on Ukraine – building on a meeting in Paris earlier this month.
He will also chair a call with Baltic countries and welcome Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni.
In an interview with The Spectator, held after the US-UK meeting, Mr Trump reportedly said he was surprised how well he and Sir Keir got along, and touched on the situation in Ukraine as well.
Describing it as a “vicious war” he spoke about North Korea’s entrance into the fighting, saying: “They learned the hard way… they have suffered tremendous casualties.”
In the same interview, the outlet reported that former US president Joe Biden blamed his Democratic successor Barack Obama as well as Nancy Pelosi for his election loss.<\/p>\n