US-UK relations will flourish below Trump, says PM
Sir Keir Starmer has despatched congratulations to Donald Trump forward of his inauguration as president on Monday saying the UK and US would “proceed to construct upon the unshakeable foundations of our historic alliance”.
The prime minister mentioned they might “deal with “international challenges” and “concentrate on shared alternatives forward for development”, including the “particular relationship between the UK and the US will proceed to flourish for years to come back”.
A treasury minister earlier mentioned the UK authorities was optimistic concerning the possibilities of a superb relationship with the incoming US administration, highlighting “alternatives” round a possible post-Brexit commerce deal.
Nonetheless, Reform UK chief Nigel Farage has claimed Sir Keir is in a “weak” negotiating place as a result of his want to strengthen ties with the EU concurrently with the US.
Forward of the US Election, Sir Keir and Trump met in New York at Trump Tower.
In an announcement on Sunday, Sir Keir mentioned: “Since our first assembly in September, the president and I’ve spoken about the necessity to deepen and put money into the transatlantic relationship.”
Sir Keir mentioned: “I look ahead to our subsequent assembly as we proceed our shared mission to make sure the peace, prosperity and safety of our two nice nations.”
He mentioned: “For hundreds of years, the connection between our two nations has been one in all collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership. It’s a uniquely shut bond.”
He added the “depth of friendship will proceed throughout the Atlantic”.
Trump’s menace to impose tariffs and what his return to Washington may imply for US assist for Ukraine may very well be among the many first points raised throughout his second time period.
On the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones Jones steered the UK may dodge Trump’s pledge for a 20% tax on all imports into the US as a result of not being in a “commerce deficit”, including ministers have “ready for all situations”.
He mentioned the federal government “must see what the Trump administration do” but in addition that Trump is “well-known for eager to do a superb deal”.
In the meantime, talking to the BBC from Washington, the place she is attending Trump’s inauguration, shadow international secretary Priti Patel mentioned there have been “hopes for his administration”.
“We have to proceed to construct upon that and at a time when our world is dealing with so many international challenges… we have to make sure that our strongest and closest ally is actually in lock step with us,” she mentioned.
Patel continued: “From Britain’s views it additionally means reopening discussions round a commerce deal.”
Farage mentioned the federal government must “suppose exterior the field” when coping with the Trump administration.
Chatting with BBC Radio 4’s The Westminster Hour, Farage mentioned: “I believe what this authorities does, is what all governments do – they stick to the established, establishment strategies of appointing folks.
“This man [Trump] does enterprise in another way to anyone else we have seen in international politics earlier than.”
Farage, a long-time supporter of Trump, has beforehand provided to behave as a go-between in negotiations with the president-elect however has to this point been rejected by the federal government.
“They do not suppose they want me – however they could discover briefly order that perhaps they do,” he mentioned.
Elsewhere, Ed Davey, Chief of the Liberal Democrats, mentioned that Trump’s return to the White Home can be “deeply worrying for hundreds of thousands of individuals within the UK and world wide.”
“With a President who guarantees commerce wars, undermines Nato and praises Vladimir Putin, the threats to our nationwide safety and our economic system are clear,” he mentioned.
