 "Starmer charms Trump: 'Tariff not necessary,' says Potus if US-UK have a 'real trade deal'")
US President Donald Trump said that a trade deal between the United Kingdom and the United States could happen “very quickly” as he sat down with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. While speaking at the joint press conference with Starmer, Trump emphasised that the US is looking for a “real trade deal” with the UK and tariffs won’t be necessary for the cause.
Trump has been threatening to impose tariffs on several nations around the world. This includes Canada, China, Mexico and India. The remarks from the Potus came during Starmer’s trip to Washington, where he passed British monarch King Charles’ invitation to Trump for an unprecedented second state visit.
As Trump received the letter in front of cameras in the Oval Office, he said that it would be a “great honour” and described the King as “a wonderful man”. Starmer remarked that the offer of a second state visit was “truly historic” because traditionally, US Presidents have been given only one state visit.
Trump and Starmer navigate the Ukraine question
On his plane ride to Washington, Starmer reiterated his willingness to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a peace deal. However, he maintained that without the US security guarantees, Russian President Vladimir Putin could “re-invade Ukraine”. Asked if he would provide such assurance, Trump said a minerals agreement he plans to sign with Ukraine on Friday could provide a “backstop”.
The Republican firebrand said that “nobody will play around” if US workers were in the country as part of the deal on minerals. When pressed about Trump’s ‘dictator’ remark about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesnkyy. The president attempted to dodge the question. “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that,” he said. He later added he had “a lot of respect” for Zelenskyy, whom he will host in Washington, DC, on Friday.
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View AllMeanwhile, Trump also extended support for the UK’s planned agreement with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands, which was assumed to be a potential source of tension between the two nations. During the joint presser, Trump said that he is inclined to “go along with it”.
The deal would see the UK cede sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago, but the country would maintain control over the island of Diego Garcia, which includes a US-UK military airbase, by leasing it back.
With inputs from agencies.
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