Donald Trump said he liked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer ‘a lot’
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Donald Trump raised his hope in London that he could have a construction relationship with the United Kingdom, telling reporters that he “loved” Mr. Keir Starmer and that he could go to the UK on the trip. The first foreign travel since returning to the White House.
TrumpHe said he would talk to the British Prime Minister “in the next 24 hours”, talking about Starmer: “He is a freelanceist, this is a bit different from me, but I think he is a very very person. Good and I think he did very well. Good work up to now.
“I am very suitable for him. I really like him, ”Mr. Trump told the BBC.
The positive comments of the US President will strengthen the feeling on Downing street that Trump does not seek to confront Starmer, despite the previous tensions with the Prime Minister and senior members in his cabinet.
It is expected in London that Trump will not object to the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as his new ambassador to Washington; He will start taking this position next month.
Starmer’s allies also hope Trump will not Block a controversial agreement In which he will cede the Chagos Islands sovereignty to Mauritius in exchange for the long-term guarantee for the future of the British-American military base in Diego Garcia.
Trump did not mention this topic when talking to Starmer before Christmas and when speaking on Air Force One, he told reporters: “It is not the number one on my list. I will be honest with you. ”
The US President told a group of journalists on Saturday night that he had good relationship with Starmer. Trump said: “He represents his country in terms of philosophy.
“I may not agree with his philosophy, but I have a very good relationship with him.” Trump met Starmer for dinner last September at Trump Tower, where both sides considered a positive meeting.
When asked where he could go on his first international tour in the second White House term, Mr. Trump said: “It could be Saudi Arabia, maybe the UK. Traditionally it could be the United Kingdom.
“Last time I went to Saudi Arabia because they agreed to buy US $ 450 billion of goods from the United States.”
Star this month tOld Financial Times in Kiev That he had a “construction” relationship with Trump, despite many criticisms of the US president of the ministers in the past.
Trump against The participation of working party employees in the unsuccessful presidential campaign of Kamala Harris, while the billionaire technology Elon Musk – was dubbed the “trash” in his government – was already – was already Call Starmer a “tyranny”.
David Lambmy, England Foreign Minister, previously called Trump a “hated woman and affectionate with the new Nazi Germany”, although Lambmy said the two had healed the relationship during the dinner at the Trump tower in September in September. .
Downing Street has not received any signs from Trump’s team that the President will block Mandelson as the new Ambassador of the United Kingdom, despite his old role as the EU Commissioner and his close relationship with Trung. Quoc. “No problem,” a person summarized this issue.
Starmer’s team is also confident that Trump will share their views with officials in the US Department of Foreign Affairs and the Pentagon that the Chagos Islands agreement is beneficial for US security, despite being criticized by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump’s positive comments on Starmer contrary to the comments he made since taking office in EU and Canada, both countries that the President said that could be affected by sanctions.
Jonathan Reynolds, UK Minister of Commerce, controversial That he will not be affected by tariffs, because the trade between the UK and the United States is mainly based on service and generally balanced.
