US has ‘no plans to recognise Palestinian state,’ says JD Vance ahead of UK talks 

The UK government has said it will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza. Asked about this plan, Vance told reporters: “I’m not sure what such recognition would even mean, given the lack of a functional government there.”

Vance declined to say whether President Donald Trump had prior knowledge of Israel’s announced intent to occupy Gaza City. “If it was easy to bring peace to that region of the world, it would have been done already,” he said.

The meeting comes amid differences between Washington and London over how to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. The UK has stressed that Ukraine must be part of any peace negotiations, while Trump has focused on bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The US and UK are also negotiating terms for British steel and aluminium exports to America, as well as finalising details of a broader trade deal announced in June.

Lammy, a member of the Labour Party, and Vance, a Republican and supporter of Trump’s “America First” agenda, have built a personal connection despite political differences. Lammy told The Guardian they relate through shared experiences of “dysfunctional” working-class childhoods and Christian faith, adding: “I consider JD a friend.”

Lammy attended a Catholic Mass at Vance’s home in Washington earlier this year, and the two met again in May at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome.

After his stay at Chevening, Vance will travel with his family to the Cotswolds for official engagements, fundraising, cultural visits, and meetings with US troops.

About two dozen protesters were seen near Chevening before the talks, some wearing keffiyeh scarves and holding signs critical of Vance.