Starmer and Trump stressed the importance of the close and warm ties between the UK and the US during their phone call [Getty/file photo]
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump agreed to meet soon on a call on Sunday when they also spoke about the royal family and of their two countries “warm ties”, according to statement from Downing Street.
“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,” the statement from Starmer’s Downing Street office said.
“They agreed to meet soon and looked forward to further discussions then.”
The UK premier also praised Trump for his “role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza,” as the pair discussed the “importance of working together for security in the Middle East,” according to a readout of the call from Downing Street.
Trump meanwhile welcomed the release of British-Israeli dual national Emily Damari who was freed a week ago by Hamas.
The two leaders additionally talked about “how both countries can promote a fair bilateral economic relationship,” according to a White House readout, with Starmer’s office highlighting the UK’s efforts “deregulating to boost growth.”
Starmer is keen to promote Britain to Trump and big US companies as his government seeks new sources of investment to try to breath life into a stagnant British economy.
Trump also said on board Air Force One on Sunday that his first international trip could be to either Saudi Arabia or Britain, prompting speculation in some British newspapers that a state visit to London was being lined up.
The late Queen Elizabeth II hosted Trump during his first presidency in 2019. He later called her a “great woman” who “never made mistakes”.
The Downing Street statement did not mention defence spending, a potential point of contention between the pair, after Trump called on NATO countries like Britain to up its military budget.
It was also silent on the Chagos Islands, a matter where Britain is waiting for the US to review London’s deal with Mauritius over the future of a US-British military base.
