Donald Trump hailed “fantastic” Britain and praised Brexit as he promised a affluent new period for trans-atlantic relations.
The US President additionally declared Keir Starmer a ”particular man” as the 2 leaders staged a unprecedented love-in on the White Home.
Mr Trump stated: “I believe we now have only a nice relationship… Frankly what they did was the correct factor on the time and doubtless show out over the centuries, you might have a very long time to go.
“I predicted it might occur and it did occur.
“It would work itself out, I believe it’s already labored itself out.”
Mr Trump didn’t rule out tariffs on the UK however stated he had a “heat spot” for the nation and would have a “good dialogue” about it with Britain.
“We’re speaking a couple of very completely different place” to the EU, he stated. “I’ve investments, I personal Turnberry, I personal Aberdeen, I personal an incredible place known as Doonbeg … so I’ve an incredible heat spot to your nation.”
Mr Trump, who had greeted the PM outdoors the West Wing, accepted the invitation of an “unprecedented” second state go to to the UK from the King because the pair hit it off within the Oval Workplace.
He additionally gave a touch that Britain – which he described as America’s “No1 ally” – may very well be spared tariffs because the US goes on the assault over what it claims are unfair commerce preparations with the remainder of the world.
Highlighting Brexit after he accused the EU of “screwing” America, the president stated relations with the UK had been “completely different” and “heat”.
However he’s more likely to provoke some fury after saying he’s “inclined to go together with” the UK’s Chagos Islands deal., described by critics as a “give up”.
Originally of their head-to-head assembly within the historic Presidential Workplace Mr Trump stated: “It is an incredible honour to have Prime Minister Starmer on the Oval Workplace.
“It is a very particular place and he is a particular man – and the UK is an excellent nation that I do know very nicely, I am there loads.
“I will be going there and we count on to see one another within the close to future – we’ll be asserting it.”
After being offered the letter from the King inviting him for a state go to, the US President stated: “The reply is sure.
“On behalf of our fantastic First Girl Melania and myself, the reply is sure and we look ahead to being there and honouring the King and honouring actually your nation.
“Your nation is a improbable nation and it will be our honour to be there.
“Thanks very a lot.”
Sir Keir responded: “Properly thanks very a lot Mr President. I shall fortunately take that again to His Majesty.”
Mr Trump, whose mom was born in Scotland, was additionally hosted by the late Queen on a state go to throughout his first time period in workplace in 2019.
However precedent for second-term US presidents who’ve already made a state go to is normally tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Citadel, as was the case for George W Bush and Barack Obama.
Mr Trump confirmed the letter marked “personal and confidential” and that includes Charles’s signature to the cameras gathered within the White Home.
The King instructed that he and Mr Trump may meet earlier than that go to, both at Dumfries Home or Balmoral that are close to the businessman’s golf programs in Scotland, to debate the plans for the a lot grander state go to.
The letter, partially obscured by Mr Trump’s hand, reads: “I can solely say that it might be … pleasure to increase that invitation as soon as once more, within the hope that you simply … some stage be visiting Turnberry and a detour to a comparatively close to neighbour won’t trigger you an excessive amount of inconvenience. Another would possibly maybe be so that you can go to Balmoral…
“There’s a lot on each estates which I believe you would possibly discover fascinating, and luxuriate in – notably as my basis at Dumfries Home offers hospitality abilities coaching for younger individuals who usually find yourself as employees by yourself institutions!”
On Brexit, Mr Trump stated: “I believe we now have only a nice relationship… Frankly what they did was the correct factor on the time and doubtless show out over the centuries, you might have a very long time to go.
“I predicted it might occur and it did occur.
“It would work itself out, I believe it’s already labored itself out.”
Mr Trump didn’t rule out tariffs on the UK however stated he had a “heat spot” for the nation and would have a “good dialogue” about it with Britain.
“We’re speaking a couple of very completely different place” to the EU, he stated. “I’ve investments, I personal Turnberry, I personal Aberdeen, I personal an incredible place known as Doonbeg … so I’ve an incredible heat spot to your nation.”
Their high-stakes assembly within the US capital comes amid uncertainty over the way forward for Ukraine and what ensures the US may give to take care of a peace deal.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is anticipated on the White Home on Friday to signal a deal that can give the US entry to Ukraine’s uncommon earth mineral sources, which Mr Trump has now described as a “backstop”.
And Mr Trump stated that he didn’t suppose Vladimir Putin can be prone to invading Ukraine once more within the occasion a peace deal is secured.
Reminded of his remark about Mr Zelensky being a ‘dictator’, Mr Trump stated: ‘Did I say that? I can not consider I stated that. Subsequent query, please go forward.’
The US President stated he was in a position to “get together with each” Mr Zelensky and Russia‘s Vladimir Putin.
He added: “I’ve an excellent relationship with President Putin. I believe I’ve an excellent relationship with President Zelensky.”
Mr Trump stated he would “at all times be with the British” in the event that they wanted assist. “You realize, I’ve at all times discovered in regards to the British – they do not want a lot assist,” he stated.
“They’ll handle themselves very nicely.
“But when they need assistance, I am going to at all times be with the British, OK? I am going to at all times be with them – however they do not need assistance.”
On the deal handy the British territory of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, and pay to lease again the UK-US Diego Garcia navy base – which has been inflicting rising alarm within the UK – Mr Trump appeared able to assist it.
“We’ll have some discussions about that very quickly and I’ve a sense it may work out very nicely,” he stated.
“They’re speaking a couple of very long-term, highly effective lease, a really sturdy lease, about 140 years, truly. It is a very long time.
“I believe we’ll be inclined to go together with your nation.”
Challenged if the UK would jeopardise its relationship with the US by searching for nearer ties with the EU, Mr Trump stated: “No, I do not fear about that.”
In a single flicker of tensions, vice chairman JD Vance swiped at “infringements on free speech” within the UK whereas answering a query.
Sir Keir shot again: “We’ve got had free speech for a really very long time within the UK. I am very pleased with that.”
The PM’s whirlwind go to to Washington DC is a part of a frantic European effort to influence Mr Trump to not abandon Ukraine and European allies.
The diplomatic push started with Emmanuel Macron’s go to to the White Home on Monday and can proceed when Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Washington on Friday to debate what safety ensures the US is ready to supply in return for a share of Ukraine‘s priceless uncommon minerals.
All three leaders are anticipated to overview progress at an emergency summit on European safety in London on Sunday.
