Keir Starmer recently met Donald Trump for a two-hour dinner in New York, aiming to establish a positive rapport with the Republican presidential candidate.
The Prime Minister attended the meeting alongside Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who previously described Trump as a neo-Nazi sympathiser in 2018 but has since indicated willingness to cooperate with him in office.
During the dinner, Starmer and Trump reportedly discussed the enduring relationship between the UK and the US. Downing Street has not commented further on the topics covered.
While in New York for the UN General Assembly, Starmer did not manage to arrange a meeting with the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, who was in Washington at the time.
Prior to the meeting, Starmer expressed to reporters his intention to engage with both candidates, noting that the opportunity to meet Trump was valuable and that he still hoped to speak with Harris. He emphasised the importance of building personal relationships on the international stage.
Shortly before Starmer’s meeting, Trump held a press conference where he warned of an influx of illegal immigrants entering the US, which he attributed to his rival Harris. Meanwhile, Harris had earlier met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, criticising Trump’s stance on Russia’s conflict as surrender.
Regarding Starmer, Trump commented that he was about to meet him and expressed a positive view of the Prime Minister. Trump also praised Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, acknowledging his success in a recent election, although he noted the complexity of the UK’s electoral system.
Earlier, Starmer addressed the UN General Assembly, stating that the UK would adopt a more humble approach to international relations, advocating for less paternalism and more attentive listening.
He also urged Israel and Hezbollah to step back from escalating a broader conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire to allow space for diplomatic resolutions.
Starmer did not disclose the topics he would discuss with Trump, nor whether support for Ukraine would be a subject, given Trump’s scepticism about US financial aid to Kyiv. When questioned about how a potential Trump presidency might impact the UK’s position on the global stage, Starmer emphasised that the “special relationship” between the UK and US transcends individual officeholders.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of comments from Angela Eagle, a Home Office minister, who suggested at a Labour party conference event that Trump’s rhetoric had encouraged racist sentiments. Eagle remarked that Trump had fuelled hostility towards migrants through social media and accused rightwing Tories of employing divisive language to counter the threat from Reform UK.
When asked about Eagle’s comments, a spokesperson for Trump dismissed them, indicating they were unconcerned by her views. Starmer refrained from endorsing Eagle’s remarks when questioned.
During his speech at the UN, Starmer called for the inclusion of permanent African representation on the UN Security Council, reiterating earlier statements that Russia should be ashamed of its presence in the building following its invasion of Ukraine. He also advocated for the inclusion of Brazil, India, Japan, and Germany as permanent members, along with more seats for elected members.
Starmer concluded by warning of conflict levels that are unprecedented in the UN’s history, citing crises in regions such as Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and Yemen. He highlighted that after two decades of progress in addressing poverty, disease, and ill-health, conflict remains a major factor hindering further advancements, describing it as a “catastrophe made by human hands.”