Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have spoken on the phone for the first time following the new US president’s swearing-in.
Mr Trump chose the UK Prime Minister as his first call with a European leader following his second inauguration.
To mend the relationship between his administration and the Labour party, the President made positive remarks about Sir Keir’s performance as Prime Minister.
Expressing a strong rapport with the PM, the new US president hinted at the possibility of choosing Britain as the destination for his first international trip during his second term.
During a recent call, Sir Keir Starmer and President Trump underscored the significance of the warm relationship between their nations and agreed to arrange a meeting in the near future, as confirmed by Downing Street.
The pair reportedly spoke about the situation in Gaza in their first official call, with Mr Trump also sending his condolences to the PM for the recent death of his brother.
Following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, a Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘President Trump opened by sending his condolences to the Prime Minister on the loss of his brother.
‘The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his kind words and congratulated him on his inauguration.
Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office on the day of his inauguration – he has hinted that the UK could be the destination of his first oversees trip
Mr Starmer has actively tried to woo Mr Trump since Labour came to power in July last year, meeting him for several dinners
President Donald Trump has now had his first official phone call with the British PM, reportedly talking about the situation in Gaza and sending his condolences for the recent death of Sir Keir’s brother
‘The Prime Minister paid tribute to President Trump’s role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza.
‘The president welcomed the release of Emily Damari and sent his best wishes to her family. They discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East.
‘They also discussed trade and the economy, with the Prime Minister setting out how we are deregulating to boost growth.
‘The two leaders stressed the importance of the close and warm ties between the UK and the US, and the president spoke of his respect and affection for the royal family.
‘They agreed to meet soon and looked forward to further discussions then.’
Sir Keir and other senior Labour ministers have been engaged in a running battle with Elon Musk, the billionaire X owner and a senior ally of the president.
But Mr Trump appears to have thrown Sir Keir a diplomatic lifeline, as he revealed he could make Britain the first foreign trip of his new presidency.
But overnight the president was asked about his own relationship with the prime minister.
The new US president said he had a ‘very good relationship’ with the PM and hinted he could yet make Britain the destination of his first oversees trip after returning to the White House
Sir Keir and other senior Labour ministers have been engaged in a running battle with Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X and a senior ally of the president
‘I’ve met him already three times. He’s come over to see me twice. I have a call. He and I have a call over the next 24 hours,’ Mr Trump said.
‘Now I get along with him, well, I like him a lot. He’s liberal, which is a little bit different for me, but I think he’s a very good person.
‘I think he’s done a very good job thus far. He’s doing the job… but he’s represented his country in terms of his philosophy.’
Government sources said Sir Keir was ready to rearrange his plans and fly to Washington as soon as this week if Mr Trump invites him to the White House.
The US President’s intervention came as a relief to No 10, where officials have been trying in vain to place a call since Mr Trump returned to power last week.
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, Mr Trump suggested the UK could be the first country he visits in his second term in office.
‘It could be Saudi Arabia, it could be UK,’ he said. ‘Traditionally, it could be UK.
‘Last time I went to Saudi Arabia because they agreed to buy $450 billion of American United States merchandise.’
Sir Keir has gone out of his way to mend fences with Mr Trump following the outspoken criticism of his first term by senior Labour figures.
Nick Starmer, the brother of Sir Keir Starmer, died on Boxing Day aged 60 after suffering from cancer – Mr Trump, who lost his own brother to alcoholism, sent his condolences to Mr Starmer on their first official call
A Downing St spokesperson said the US president also warmly welcomed the release of British hostage Emily Damari and sent his best wishes to her family. Pictured: Emily Damari with her mother in Israel after her release on Sunday
Downing Street said the PM #paid tribute to President Trump’s role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza’. Pictured: British hostage Emily Damari prior to her release
In 2019, when Mr Trump suggested Boris Johnson would do a ‘very good job’ as PM, Sir Keir responded on social media: ‘An endorsement from Donald Trump tells you everything you need to know about what is wrong with Boris Johnson’s politics and why he isn’t fit to be Prime Minister.’
Foreign Secretary David Lammy went further, describing Mr Trump as a ‘tyrant in a toupee’ and a ‘woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath’.
But the two men are said to have had cordial talks during a two-hour dinner with Mr Trump at his New York headquarters in September and are now looking to maintain Britain’s historic ‘special relationship’.
In recent days, Downing Street has faced growing questions about why the new President has called the leaders of countries El Salvador and Jordan before the UK.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken to counterparts in 22 countries, including Latvia, Costa Rica and Yemen, but has yet to call Mr Lammy.
No 10 is already in talks with Buckingham Palace about extending the offer of a second state visit to Mr Trump, who is an enthusiastic supporter of the Royal Family.
However, the decision to select Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington has placed an early strain on relations.
Mr Trump’s campaign manager Chris LaCivita said Lord Mandelson was ‘an absolute moron’ who should ‘stay home’ after details of his past criticism of Mr Trump emerged.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Mr Trump as a ‘tyrant in a toupee’ and a ‘woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath’ during Labour’s time in opposition
Some Republican sources have suggested his appointment could even be vetoed by the White House because of concern over his business links to China.
Former foreign secretary David Miliband has been positioning himself as a potential replacement if Lord Mandelson is blocked. But his close friendship with Mr Trump’s bitter rival Hillary Clinton is likely to prove a major hurdle.
One ally of Mr Trump told the Sun: ‘He doesn’t like Peter Mandelson but has no time for David Miliband either. The leftie political appointments are bizarre… no-one called Miliband will stand a chance.’
The PM has also had a bitter public feud with Elon Musk, who has called for Sir Keir to be ousted over his refusal to call a public inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.
Sir Keir is keen to reassure Mr Trump that his controversial £9 billion deal to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will not endanger the security of a UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
Ministers are also desperate to avoid getting dragged into a trade war with a US president who backed Brexit and is threatening to impose tariffs on imports from the EU.
Yesterday it emerged that the UK could also become embroiled in Mr Trump’s controversial bid to take control of Greenland, which is currently part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Mr Trump has a ‘fiery call’ with Danish PM Mette Frederikson after laying claim publicly to the strategically important Arctic island.
Under the terms of a 1917 deal, Britain would have first refusal if Denmark ever decided to sell the island.
Tom Hoyen, who was Denmark’s representative in Greenland from 1982-7 said the agreement was struck at a time when Britain controlled nearby Canada and the US was engaged in another attempt to buy Greenland.
He told the Sunday Times: ‘If Trump tried to buy Greenland, he would have to ask London first. The UK demanded in 1917 that if Greenland were to be sold then the UK should have the first right to buy it.’
This is a breaking story, updates to follow…
