He came, he saw, he answered politely. Speaking in a press conference alongside Sir Keir Starmer, US president Donald Trump took apparent pains to avoid awkwardness for his embattled host, ducking questions on free speech and Lord Mandelson. He was clearly here to enjoy the company of the Royal family and the pomp and pageantry of the British state, rather than to make life even more difficult for a crisis-struck Prime Minister.
Even so, the contrast between the two men was marked. While they obviously disagreed on many issues, perhaps the greatest distinction was found in the manner and clarity of their communication. Sir Keir, called to answer difficult questions, reverted to the lawyerly obfuscation and hesitation that typifies his responses under pressure. By contrast, Mr Trump was clear and direct. Moreover, at least on the issues under discussion, he was right more frequently than wrong.
It is hard to disagree with the president that Palestinian statehood is a misstep while Hamas retains control of Gaza and professes its willingness and intent to destroy Israel. It is hard to disagree, either, with the moral clarity of the statement that the war cannot end until the hostages taken on October 7 2023 are returned. Sir Keir insisted that “Hamas is a terrorist organisation who can have no part in the future governance of Palestine”, and was rewarded with a slightly patronising pat on the back from the president. Yet the Prime Minister’s plans remain unchanged, and Hamas will surely see British recognition as a victory.
Equal clarity was also brought to bear on net zero, where Mr Trump urged the Prime Minister to “drill, baby, drill”, using North Sea oil and gas to alleviate pressure on energy prices, and on migration, where he urged Britain to follow the example set on America’s southern border, doing whatever it takes to end the flow.
There were also signs that Mr Trump has realised his foolishness in attempting to appease Vladimir Putin. His repeated claim that the Russian autocrat “let me down” spoke to naivete in imagining the Kremlin would negotiate in good faith, but also to an apparent change in approach, with pressure put on European nations to halt purchases of Russian oil.
It was a timely reminder that for all the sense he talked on Britain, Mr Trump has made major errors elsewhere. That these are sometimes overlooked is a testament to his skill as a communicator. Sir Keir could do worse than learn from this.
He came, he saw, he answered politely. Speaking in a press conference alongside Sir Keir Starmer, US president Donald Trump took apparent pains to avoid awkwardness for his embattled host, ducking questions on free speech and Lord Mandelson. He was clearly here to enjoy the company of the Royal family and the pomp and pageantry of the British state, rather than to make life even more difficult for a crisis-struck Prime Minister.
Even so, the contrast between the two men was marked. While they obviously disagreed on many issues, perhaps the greatest distinction was found in the manner and clarity of their communication. Sir Keir, called to answer difficult questions, reverted to the lawyerly obfuscation and hesitation that typifies his responses under pressure. By contrast, Mr Trump was clear and direct. Moreover, at least on the issues under discussion, he was right more frequently than wrong.
It is hard to disagree with the president that Palestinian statehood is a misstep while Hamas retains control of Gaza and professes its willingness and intent to destroy Israel. It is hard to disagree, either, with the moral clarity of the statement that the war cannot end until the hostages taken on October 7 2023 are returned. Sir Keir insisted that “Hamas is a terrorist organisation who can have no part in the future governance of Palestine”, and was rewarded with a slightly patronising pat on the back from the president. Yet the Prime Minister’s plans remain unchanged, and Hamas will surely see British recognition as a victory.
Equal clarity was also brought to bear on net zero, where Mr Trump urged the Prime Minister to “drill, baby, drill”, using North Sea oil and gas to alleviate pressure on energy prices, and on migration, where he urged Britain to follow the example set on America’s southern border, doing whatever it takes to end the flow.
There were also signs that Mr Trump has realised his foolishness in attempting to appease Vladimir Putin. His repeated claim that the Russian autocrat “let me down” spoke to naivete in imagining the Kremlin would negotiate in good faith, but also to an apparent change in approach, with pressure put on European nations to halt purchases of Russian oil.
It was a timely reminder that for all the sense he talked on Britain, Mr Trump has made major errors elsewhere. That these are sometimes overlooked is a testament to his skill as a communicator. Sir Keir could do worse than learn from this.