Ahead of Sir Keir Starmer’s first meeting with Donald Trump since the president’s election in November, one observer remarked that the union flag outside the presidential guesthouse was flying upside down – a traditional indication of distress.
Prior to the meeting, this may have been expected to accurately convey the position Sir Keir would find himself in, with tensions expected over Ukraine, free speech in Britain and the Chagos Islands deal.
Mr Trump, however, is a leader who is ever ready to confound expectations, and his bark from distance is often worse than his bite up close. The mood at the meeting was cordial, with Mr Trump emphasising his “tremendous relationship” with the Prime Minister, expressing his praise for King Charles and responding with pleasure to an invitation for an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom.
If there is a firm rule in dealing with the president, it is to flatter him, and Sir Keir proved adept at this game, even coming away with an indication that Mr Trump could back his surrender of the Chagos Islands. Good for Sir Keir, neutral for the United States, but a deeply regrettable sign for the United Kingdom.
There was better news on the issue of tariffs. While the EU appears to remain in the US doghouse, Mr Trump noted that he would “take a look” at the possibility of sparing Britain from the economic burden.
On Ukraine, the indications again were that the combined efforts of European leaders were beginning to have some effect on the president. Mr Trump indicated that he would “help” any British forces deployed to Ukraine as peacekeepers, should they come under Russian attack, while hedging with comments that indicated he viewed this as being an unlikely prospect.
Pleasant conversation, however, could not fully paper over the cracks. Before the meeting, White House officials told The Telegraph that while Mr Trump was “very pleased” Sir Keir intended to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP, a figure closer to 5 per cent would be nearer the mark. And during the meeting, vice president J D Vance clashed with Sir Keir over free speech.
Ultimately, however, this appears to have been a missed opportunity. Sir Keir had room to advance Britain’s interests, attempting to make progress on a US trade deal. Instead, he focused on getting his Chagos surrender over the line.
Ahead of Sir Keir Starmer’s first meeting with Donald Trump since the president’s election in November, one observer remarked that the union flag outside the presidential guesthouse was flying upside down – a traditional indication of distress.
Prior to the meeting, this may have been expected to accurately convey the position Sir Keir would find himself in, with tensions expected over Ukraine, free speech in Britain and the Chagos Islands deal.
Mr Trump, however, is a leader who is ever ready to confound expectations, and his bark from distance is often worse than his bite up close. The mood at the meeting was cordial, with Mr Trump emphasising his “tremendous relationship” with the Prime Minister, expressing his praise for King Charles and responding with pleasure to an invitation for an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom.
If there is a firm rule in dealing with the president, it is to flatter him, and Sir Keir proved adept at this game, even coming away with an indication that Mr Trump could back his surrender of the Chagos Islands. Good for Sir Keir, neutral for the United States, but a deeply regrettable sign for the United Kingdom.
There was better news on the issue of tariffs. While the EU appears to remain in the US doghouse, Mr Trump noted that he would “take a look” at the possibility of sparing Britain from the economic burden.
On Ukraine, the indications again were that the combined efforts of European leaders were beginning to have some effect on the president. Mr Trump indicated that he would “help” any British forces deployed to Ukraine as peacekeepers, should they come under Russian attack, while hedging with comments that indicated he viewed this as being an unlikely prospect.
Pleasant conversation, however, could not fully paper over the cracks. Before the meeting, White House officials told The Telegraph that while Mr Trump was “very pleased” Sir Keir intended to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP, a figure closer to 5 per cent would be nearer the mark. And during the meeting, vice president J D Vance clashed with Sir Keir over free speech.
Ultimately, however, this appears to have been a missed opportunity. Sir Keir had room to advance Britain’s interests, attempting to make progress on a US trade deal. Instead, he focused on getting his Chagos surrender over the line.