UK PM Keir Starmer spoke to President Trump, discussed US visit

“The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump’s Special Envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night, during which he took a call from President Trump and discussed his forthcoming visit to the US,” news agency PTI quoted a Downing Street spokesperson as saying.

“Mr Burnett and the Prime Minister agreed on the unique and special nature of the UK-US relationship, the strength of our alliance, and the warmth of the connection between the two countries,” the spokesperson said.

Burnett also shared his personal connections to the UK, including his mother’s experience working part-time as a waitress in Downing Street more than 30 years ago. “They emphasised the huge potential for even stronger collaboration on trade, tech, and cultural matters between the US and the UK and looked forward to working together,” the spokesperson added.

The meeting comes at a crucial time for bilateral relations, with reports citing that Trump may include value-added tax (VAT) to calculate potential “reciprocal tariffs,” raising concerns about the future of economic ties.

Trade experts suggested that tariffs of 20 per cent or more could be imposed on both the UK and the European Union, following the White House’s statement that it will examine “unfair, discriminatory, or extraterritorial taxes” on US businesses, workers, and consumers, including value-added tax.

Starmer had paid tribute to the American President for his role in securing a “landmark” Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza in his first official phone conversation with Trump. The phone call came soon after Trump said that he thought Starmer has “done a very good job” so far, news agency PTI reported.

Starmer has earlier met Trump for a private dinner at Trump Tower in New York in September 2024, after the Labour Party won the general election in July 2024 and ahead of the Republican nominee’s election as US President.

(With PTI inputs)