January 26th 2025.
Sir Keir Starmer was finally able to have a chat with the newly-inaugurated US president, Donald Trump. It had been just under a week since Trump's historic return to the White House, and Sir Keir had been eager to touch base with him. He had reached out to Washington and was able to get through to Trump on the phone, and was relieved to have the opportunity to speak to him as leaders of their respective countries.
Unlike some other UK politicians who had made the trip to attend the inauguration, Sir Keir had not been invited to the main ceremony. However, he was not the only British PM to have been left out in the past. Outgoing US ambassador Karen Pierce was the only UK government official who had attended. But this phone call was an important moment for Sir Keir, as it was the first time he and Trump were able to speak to each other as leaders.
The conversation began with Trump offering his condolences to Sir Keir for the loss of his brother Nick on Boxing Day. The PM appreciated his kind words and then congratulated him on his second inauguration, making him only the second US president in history to be re-elected after being removed from office. They then moved on to discuss important matters such as the situation in Gaza, with Sir Keir acknowledging and praising Trump's role in securing a ceasefire and hostages deal. They also talked about the need to work together for greater security in the Middle East.
Trade and the economy were also on the agenda, with Sir Keir explaining how the UK was working towards deregulation to stimulate growth. Trump, who had always been vocal about his admiration for the Royal Family, also expressed his fondness for them during the call. They ended the conversation by agreeing to meet in person soon.
There had been some uncertainty about the relationship between Sir Keir and Trump, especially after one of Trump's top advisors, Elon Musk, had publicly criticized the UK government earlier in the month. However, Sir Keir was relieved to hear Trump's recent comment that he liked him a lot. In an interview with the BBC, Trump had even praised Sir Keir for his liberal values and acknowledged their differing philosophies, but emphasized their strong relationship.
Overall, the 45-minute chat between Sir Keir and Trump was a productive one, with both leaders discussing important matters and reaffirming their commitment to working together. It was a positive step towards building a strong relationship between the UK and the US, and Sir Keir was grateful for the opportunity to have this conversation with the US president.
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