A trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom could be reached “very quickly,” President Donald Trump said during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the White House. The visit marked a pivotal moment in Sir Keir’s leadership, as he sought to strengthen diplomatic ties and shape discussions on trade, security, and global cooperation.
Trump expressed optimism about securing “a real trade deal” that could exempt the UK from tariffs he has previously threatened against other nations. His remarks reinforced the potential for a closer economic partnership between the two allies, particularly in the wake of Brexit.
As part of the visit, Sir Keir presented Trump with a formal letter from King Charles, inviting him to an unprecedented second state visit to the UK. Receiving the invitation in the Oval Office, Trump called it a “great honor” and described the King as “a wonderful man.” Sir Keir hailed the moment as “truly historic,” noting that US presidents are traditionally granted only one state visit. Trump confirmed he would accept the invitation before taking questions from reporters alongside the prime minister.
The discussions covered a broad range of topics, including the war in Ukraine. Ahead of his trip, Sir Keir had reiterated his willingness to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a future peace deal but stressed that without US security guarantees, Russian President Vladimir Putin could attempt another invasion. When asked whether he would provide such assurances, Trump pointed to an upcoming minerals agreement with Ukraine, suggesting that US involvement in the country’s mineral sector would serve as a deterrent. “Nobody will play around” if American workers are present, he remarked.
Trump was also pressed on his previous characterization of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator.” Initially, he seemed to deny making the remark, saying, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that.” He later softened his stance, adding that he had “a lot of respect” for Zelensky, whom he is scheduled to meet in Washington later in the week.
Another issue on the table was the UK’s planned agreement with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands, a strategically significant Indian Ocean territory. The proposed deal would see the UK cede sovereignty over the archipelago while retaining control of Diego Garcia, a key US-UK military base, through a lease agreement. While the matter had been a potential source of friction, Trump signaled his support, saying he was “inclined to go along with it.”
Trade negotiations, however, remained the focal point of the visit. Trump reiterated that a trade deal between the US and UK could be finalized swiftly, suggesting that such an agreement could eliminate the need for tariffs. “I think there’s a very good chance that, in the case of these two great, friendly countries, we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn’t be necessary. We’ll see,” he said.
Trump has previously imposed tariffs on several allies, including a 25% import tax on European Union goods, as well as duties on steel and aluminum—measures that could impact British exports. When asked whether Sir Keir had attempted to dissuade him from imposing similar tariffs on UK goods, Trump responded, “He tried. He was working hard, I tell you that. He earned whatever the hell they pay him over there.”
For his part, Sir Keir emphasized that the UK-US trade relationship is “fair, balanced, and reciprocal.” Since Brexit, successive British leaders have pursued a comprehensive free trade agreement with the US. While Trump had previously expressed enthusiasm for a “very substantial” deal during his first term, negotiations stalled due to disagreements over US agricultural exports and UK digital services taxes.
Beyond trade, Sir Keir also highlighted opportunities for deeper economic cooperation, particularly in artificial intelligence. He outlined plans to work with the US on AI development, positioning both nations as global leaders in emerging technologies. “Instead of over-regulating these new technologies, we’re seizing the opportunities they offer,” he said. “Artificial intelligence could cure cancer. That could be a moonshot for our age, and that’s how we’ll keep delivering for our people.”
While obstacles remain, both leaders expressed optimism about strengthening US-UK relations across trade, security, and technology. With negotiations now underway, the prospect of a landmark trade agreement and deeper economic collaboration could shape the future of transatlantic relations.
