Starmer’s Diplomatic Mission to the US
WASHINGTON — Sir Keir Starmer is poised to present the enticing possibility of a state visit hosted by King Charles III to Donald Trump in a bid to reinforce the US President’s allegiance to the Western alliance. The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening for a pivotal 24-hour diplomatic mission, during which he will meet Trump face-to-face for the first time since the American elections last November.
During his transatlantic flight, Starmer emphasized that Britain and the United States are united in their understanding of the origins of the Ukraine conflict, asserting that Trump remains “clearly committed to the special relationship.” He cautioned, however, that any peace agreement lacking US security guarantees would merely embolden Vladimir Putin to further aggressions against Ukraine — a sentiment that may lead to a potential disagreement with Trump, who appeared to downplay military support for Kyiv in recent comments.
In his crucial meeting at the White House on Thursday afternoon, Starmer aims to persuade Trump to reaffirm his support for NATO, while also fostering existing economic partnerships between the UK and the US and mitigating the risk of targeted tariffs. A spokesperson from No. 10 highlighted the President’s “steadfast support” for US-UK relations, noting, “President Trump has great respect for the royal family and has had multiple encounters with King Charles. The Prime Minister would warmly welcome a future visit from President Trump to the UK.”
Trump, whose mother hailed from Scotland, has often expressed his fondness for the British royal family and has reminisced about his successful state visit to the UK in 2019. Starmer remarked on Tuesday that the decision regarding a repeat state visit is ultimately up to “His Majesty the King,” but added, “He’s very fond of the Royal Family, as you know.” Buckingham Palace, however, opted not to comment on the matter.
High Stakes for Starmer in Washington
Typically, when a Prime Minister embarks on an international trip, the focus may often shift to domestic issues. For instance, Rishi Sunak faced considerable frustration when, during a G7 summit in Hiroshima, the first question at his press conference revolved around Suella Braverman attempting to evade a speeding fine. This time, however, Sir Keir Starmer’s journey to Washington carries immense significance. The stakes include the fate of Ukraine, the future of the Western alliance, billions in trade, and notably, discussions surrounding the potential transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Starmer views himself as a “bridge” between the Trump administration and European leaders, which is why he has refrained from publicly criticizing the President, despite the moral discomfort it may invoke among some Labour members. He arrives in D.C. with a significant proposal: a commitment to increase defense spending by 2027, financed by what some might characterize as Trump-style (or Musk-style) reductions in foreign aid. The Prime Minister has emphasized that he is working closely with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is set to visit London this weekend, and aims to act as an envoy for Zelensky during his Oval Office meeting.
There are indications that Trump may be softening his stance towards Zelensky following their well-publicized fallout. If Starmer can facilitate this reconciliation, he will believe he has rendered a vital service to the Western world. Conversely, failure in this endeavor could result in severe repercussions, including a potential trade conflict, increased pro-Putin rhetoric from Trump, or even jeopardizing NATO’s future.
By Hugo Gye
Recent reports suggest that Balmoral is the frontrunner as the potential location for a Trump state visit. After meeting with the President, Starmer will host a summit with European leaders in London on Sunday, which will also feature Volodymyr Zelensky.
On his way to meet Trump, Starmer stated, “I have a good relationship with him. As you know, I’ve met him, I’ve spoken to him on the phone, and this relationship between our two countries is a special one, shaped by our shared history of fighting wars and engaging in trade. I want it to flourish further.” He continued, “The President is clearly committed to NATO and the special relationship. He desires peace in Ukraine, as do we all, particularly the Ukrainians. That’s why I’ve been resolute in ensuring we won’t have to choose between one side of the Atlantic and the other.”
Trump indicated on Tuesday that he is hesitant to commit US military resources to support a peace deal, remarking, “I’m not going to make security guarantees beyond a certain point. We expect Europe to take that responsibility, given its proximity.” However, Starmer reiterated his call for American military involvement to provide a “backstop” for the European peacekeeping force that would be stationed in Ukraine, asserting, “The security guarantee must be robust enough to deter Putin from future attacks, as a ceasefire without such a guarantee could simply give him the opportunity to regroup and strike again, given his evident ambitions regarding Ukraine.”
The Prime Minister dismissed Kremlin assertions that Western peacekeepers would exacerbate the conflict, stating, “I’m not responding to Putin. My focus is on how we maintain peace in Europe and achieve a lasting resolution in Ukraine.” He also minimized any transatlantic disagreements regarding who is to blame for instigating the Ukraine war, saying that, when asked about Trump’s alignment with the UK perspective, “The President has been very clear about the peace he seeks… There’s no issue between us on this.”
Trump is reported to have enjoyed his state visit in 2019, which included a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II (Photo: Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images). During this trip, the Prime Minister aims to convince Trump of the UK’s commitment to bolstering European security while also alleviating the need for American assistance. He will announce plans for UK defense spending to rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a further increase to 3% anticipated after the next election.
Starmer also sought to reassure those concerned about the government’s increasingly assertive military rhetoric, stating, “I want to assure the British public that our actions are intended to guarantee their safety and security, as well as the defense of our nation. This is why we are implementing measures to increase defense spending.” He added, “Moreover, as we ramp up defense spending, we create opportunities for our industrial strategy, fostering well-paying jobs across the UK.”
Another significant topic of discussion between Starmer and Trump is anticipated to be trade, as the Prime Minister strives to dissuade the US from imposing tariffs on the UK and initiate discussions on a comprehensive free trade agreement in the future. He noted, “Our trade balance is fairly stable, with substantial exchanges amounting to millions in both directions with the US. It’s quite balanced in terms of surplus and deficit, and I will act in our best economic interests.”
Starmer is joined on this trip by key advisors, including No. 10 Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell. Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in Washington earlier for talks with senior officials in the Trump administration and will participate in the White House meeting today.
Lammy suggested on Tuesday night that the US would hold a veto over any plans to transfer the Chagos Islands from UK governance to Mauritius due to the American naval base located on the largest island, Diego Garcia. He stated during an interview with ITV’s Peston: “If President Trump disapproves of the deal, it simply will not proceed.”
