Free Unlock White House Watch News
Your guide on what the 2024 U.S. election means to Washington and the world
Sir Keir Starmer is seeking to form a “bridge” between Washington and Europe in the context of transatlantic tensions in Ukraine, trade, defense and freedom of expression.
British Prime Minister is expected to discuss ways to end the Ukrainian war in a summit chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, a sign that U.S. President Donald Trump is on the continent .
Steamer is then expected to travel to Washington in the last week of February to convince European countries that Trump is fully involved in Ukraine talks and try to avoid U.S. tariffs.
The Prime Minister said it was “a generational moment for our national security when we interact with the reality of the world today and the threats we face to Russia.”
He added: “British will work to ensure we keep the United States and Europe together. We cannot let any division in the alliance distract the enemies we face.”
Downing Street said another meeting of European leaders is expected to hold, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Starmer returns in talks with Trump.
Like other European countries, the UK is under enormous pressure from Trump to increase its defense spending amid weak growth and tight public services.
Starmer is committed to developing a “a pathway” that will increase UK defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP, but so far there is no saying when that target will be met. Prime Minister Rachel Reeves tried to hold spending at 2.3% as her fiscal plan was under severe pressure.
The idea of a British “bridge” between Washington and Europe collapsed after Brexit, with the U.S. presidents often tend to talk to Berlin or Paris with EU leaders in Brussels.
But Steamer’s allies believe that Trump has a positive view on Britain even as Vice President JD Vance criticized Britain’s free speech approach last week, which could leverage political influence.
“I believe that in adapting to this new era, we can be a bridge between the United States and Europe in the UK,” Business and Commerce Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said on Sunday. “It’s definitely a new era.”
Reynolds told BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that Britain’s defense spending is relatively high, and balanced trade relations and slight touch adjustments to AI may be good for the UK.
“In the UK, there must be a view of Europe, a different view of us,” Reynolds said. “We have the opportunity to play a constructive role.” He said that in trade, the United States saw “different angles” of Britain,” he said. .
UK Ambassador to Washington Lord Peter Mandelson says Britain should be “becoming”no Europe”. Whether this is wishful thinking is whether it is wishful thinking, given Trump’s plan to impose tariffs last week and his criticism of Britain last week.
Vance said at a Munich security conference last week that “the fundamental freedoms of religious British people” were threatened, criticizing prosecution of anti-abortion protesters.
Even if Starmer does convince Trump to offer special treatment to the UK (such as tariffs), this will allow Starmer’s parallel attempt to “reset” relations with the EU, including removing trade barriers.
Trump said Friday that Starmer asked for a meeting in Washington and said “a lot of things happened” to the two leaders. He said the meeting will be held “soon”, adding: “I think he wants to come next week or next week.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy also urged the United States not to disconnect from Kiev, saying Washington should link U.S. commercial interests, including defense and industrial sectors, to Ukraine’s future defense.
“That’s what makes Putin sit down and focus, and it’s attractive to the U.S. president who knows how to get a deal,” Ramy said last week.
