President Trump concluded his state visit to Britain on Thursday with a joint news conference alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Both leaders offered warm praise for each other, despite acknowledging a significant disagreement concerning Palestinian statehood.
An apparent friendship has blossomed between the two, a rather improbable development given their vastly different political backgrounds. Mr. Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, leads Britain’s center-left Labour Party, a stark contrast to Mr. Trump’s right-wing populist ally, Nigel Farage.
Nevertheless, as they stood together at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence, their camaraderie was unmistakable. Mr. Trump occasionally patted the prime minister’s shoulder, and Mr. Starmer meticulously crafted his responses to reporters, ensuring he lauded the American president and skillfully sidestepped any comments that might highlight their deep-seated political divisions.
A key objective for the prime minister was to encourage Mr. Trump toward a more assertive stance against President Vladimir V. Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Mr. Starmer revealed that the two leaders dedicated a substantial hour to private discussions about global affairs.
For British officials, this exclusive time with the president, aimed at influencing his views on the Ukraine war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, was a top priority for the state visit. However, it remains uncertain whether the considerable expense and elaborate ceremonies of the trip yielded the desired diplomatic returns.
Mr. Trump stated that Mr. Putin “has let me down,” yet he avoided directly answering questions about potential actions he might take to further pressure the Russian president or bolster support for Ukraine. While Mr. Starmer has consistently emphasized the grave threat posed to Europe by an aggressive Russia, Mr. Trump appeared, at one juncture, almost dismissive of the issue.
“The Russia situation, I hope we’re going to have some good news for you coming up,” he informed reporters. “But again, it doesn’t affect the United States. And he — look, it doesn’t so much affect you,” he added, glancing at Mr. Starmer, who maintained his gaze for a moment before looking down at his notes.
The prime minister asserted their unity in seeking a resolution to the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. “We are working together to end the humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East,” Mr. Starmer declared.
However, when questioned about Britain’s impending recognition of Palestinian statehood, Mr. Trump stated, “I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score,” swiftly adding, “One of our few disagreements, actually.”
Mr. Trump extensively discussed the plight of Israelis, particularly the hostages held by Hamas, but notably omitted any mention of the suffering endured by Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel’s military offensive is intensifying.
When a reporter pressed him on whether he would leverage his influence on Israel to help end a conflict that health officials in Gaza claim has resulted in over 60,000 deaths in the enclave, Mr. Trump redirected the conversation to the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, where approximately 1,200 people were killed and another 250 taken hostage.
“People forget about Oct. 7,” he insisted. “I can’t forget about it.”
The two-day visit provided Mr. Trump with a temporary reprieve from domestic political pressures. This was particularly evident on Wednesday, when King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted him for a state dinner at Windsor Castle, where the president openly praised the British royal family.
However, Thursday’s agenda, focused more on substance than spectacle, saw Mr. Trump unable to resist diving into U.S. politics, repeatedly criticizing his predecessor. He also couldn’t entirely escape questions surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, deflecting inquiries about the convicted sex offender whom he once considered a friend. This came a day after activists projected large images of the two men onto Windsor Castle.
A tangible outcome of the trip was a technology partnership agreement signed by Mr. Trump and Mr. Starmer. They asserted this deal would position the United States and Britain at the forefront of artificial intelligence and other high-tech innovations globally.
Mr. Starmer commenced the news conference on Thursday with a speech extolling the “unique bond” between America and Britain. His team was undoubtedly relieved that the visit concluded without any public rupture or discord. Yet, his remarks about the nature of his country’s relationship with the United States sometimes sounded more like an aspiration than a definitive statement, reflecting Britain’s soft-pedal diplomatic approach toward Mr. Trump.
“We are united in defense and security — yes, absolutely — but we’re also united in the pursuit of peace,” Mr. Starmer affirmed. “It is British and American men and women side by side, changing the path of history, and turning it towards our values — towards freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”