Starmer and Trump: An Unlikely Diplomatic Alliance
At first glance, there appear to be few obvious similarities between Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. One is a methodical and somewhat reserved human rights lawyer aligned with leftist politics, while the other is a brash right-wing figure known for his impromptu remarks. However, during their recent face-to-face meeting—Trump’s return to power—this unlikely duo seemed to find common ground.
Starmer likely couldn’t have anticipated such a successful visit to the White House. He deftly sidestepped potential diplomatic pitfalls that could have marred the meeting and emerged with some noteworthy achievements. A clever piece of stagecraft involved Starmer presenting a letter from King Charles III inviting Trump for an official state visit. This gesture set a positive tone right from the beginning.
Speculations that Trump might oppose the UK’s claim over the Chagos Islands or criticize Starmer’s efforts to strengthen ties with the European Union proved unfounded. Surprisingly, Trump appeared well-informed about the Chagos Islands and indicated his likely support for a resolution regarding the matter. When the President remarked that Starmer had demonstrated his prowess as a “tough negotiator” on trade, it seemed there might be a divide; nonetheless, Trump hinted that a deal to avert US tariffs on UK goods could be feasible.
On the issue of Ukraine, the atmosphere of the discussion was markedly more optimistic than in previous encounters. Trump lauded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and, in a significant shift from his previous stance, expressed a desire to assist Kyiv in reclaiming territory lost to Russian aggression. However, Starmer did not secure everything he sought; notably, Trump has yet to endorse the UK’s proposal for a “backstop,” which would involve the US providing security guarantees for Ukraine and the European peacekeepers designated to operate in the country following a future peace agreement.
As they navigate their relationship, both Starmer and Trump have a long road ahead. With 47 months remaining in Trump’s term and Starmer likely to maintain his position throughout that timeframe, there is substantial room for both cooperation and conflict. Past experiences have shown that initial rapport can quickly sour; for instance, Theresa May’s initially amicable relationship with Trump deteriorated during her first term as disputes over Brexit emerged.
Trump’s unpredictable nature means that a single outburst could jeopardize the camaraderie he has started to build with Starmer. Yet, for now, the results of this brief visit seem to validate Starmer’s strategy of aligning closely with the President, avoiding public disagreements—except for one notable instance when Starmer corrected Trump’s assertion that European donors to Ukraine were being reimbursed—and positioning himself as a “bridge” between the United States and Europe.
If Starmer can continue to influence Trump’s policy directions to align more closely with the UK’s interests, he may find that the ethical compromises involved in supporting a President with such starkly different beliefs and demeanor are ultimately justified. However, some Labour MPs express discomfort with Starmer’s approach, gazing enviously at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who often speaks freely against Trump.
Should their relationship take a downturn, these critics will likely argue that the trade-offs were never worthwhile in the first place. For the moment, though, it appears that Starmer is navigating the complexities of the “special relationship” with skill, aware that the stability of Western alliances could falter under his watch.
Hugo Gye is the political editor at The i Paper.
