Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump engaged in a 45-minute phone call, highlighting the strong relationship between the UK and the US. The conversation occurred

shortly after President Trump praised Starmer for doing "a very good job thus far."

According to Downing Street, Trump began the call by offering condolences to Starmer over the recent loss of his brother, Nick, who passed away on Boxing Day after battling cancer. Starmer expressed gratitude for the kind words and congratulated Trump on his inauguration.

The UK Prime Minister commended Trump for brokering the Gaza ceasefire and securing a hostages deal. In response, Trump welcomed the release of Emily Damari, an Israeli-British citizen, and extended his best wishes to her family. The leaders agreed on the importance of collaboration for Middle Eastern security.

Described by government insiders as “warm and personal,” the discussion also touched on economic issues and trade. Starmer outlined the UK’s plans for deregulation to boost economic growth, while Trump reaffirmed his respect for the UK’s royal family. Both leaders emphasized the strength of UK-US ties and expressed a desire to meet in person soon to deepen bilateral relations.

While the Chagos Islands deal—a sensitive topic involving the transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius—did not feature in the conversation, it remains a key diplomatic challenge for Starmer’s government. Trump’s administration has voiced concerns that such a move could increase Chinese influence in the region, especially given the strategic importance of the US-leased Diego Garcia military base.

The White House’s summary of the call was brief, focusing on the leaders’ shared commitment to a fair economic relationship and Trump’s condolences for Starmer’s loss. The discussion also referenced the release of Emily Damari.

Meanwhile, reports suggest Starmer may resist calls from the Trump administration to raise UK defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, citing the potential for election-period budget cuts. Downing Street dismissed speculation about not meeting the target as premature.

President Trump, who has previously pushed NATO members to increase defense spending to as much as 5% of GDP, has expressed positive sentiments toward Starmer despite their ideological differences. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump described Starmer as “a very good person” and hinted at the UK being the destination for his first overseas trip of this term.

The leaders’ relationship, strengthened through previous meetings and phone calls, underscores the importance of maintaining strong UK-US ties. Following the inauguration, Foreign Secretary David Lammy suggested Starmer might visit Washington soon to continue building upon this vital partnership. Photo by Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia commons.