US president says he and prime minister ‘get along famously’ in White House talks on Ukraine and defence
Sir Keir Starmer delivered an unprecedented second royal invitation for a state visit to Donald Trump, which the US president readily accepted, in a huge boost for the prime minister’s delicate negotiations as he visited the White House.
But the president fudged his response when Sir Keir asked for a commitment of more US military support for security in Ukraine if a peace deal with Russia is agreed.
However, Mr Trump indicated he would support the UK’s Chagos deal, despite uncertainty caused by fears that it could open up a vital UK-US military base, on Diego Garcia, to foreign interference.
He said: “I think we will be inclined to go along with your country.”
Mr Trump said he and Sir Keir “get along famously” as the pair began their key talks, and the US president accepted the invitation from the King, who also invited him separately to Balmoral.
The president had urged the UK to double defence spending despite Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to increase it to 2.5 per cent.
Trump praises ‘tough negotiator’ StarmerDonald Trump praised Sir Keir but said he was a tough negotiator.
He pledged to keep the relationship between the two countries very strong.
More about the live video: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/starmer-trump-live-meeting-chagos-tariffs-ukraine-state-visit-b2706148.html
