Sir Keir Starmer has sent congratulations to Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration as president on Monday. The UK and US would “continue to build upon the unshakeable foundations of our historic alliance”, said the prime minister. They would “tackle global challenges” and “focus on shared opportunities ahead for growth”. The “special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States will continue to flourish for years to come”, he added.
A treasury minister earlier said the UK government was optimistic about the chances of a good relationship with the incoming US administration, highlighting “opportunities” around a potential post-Brexit trade deal. However, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has claimed Sir Keir is in a “weak” negotiating position due to his wish to strengthen ties with the EU at the same time as with the US.
Ahead of the US Election, Sir Keir and Trump met in New York at Trump Tower. In a statement on Sunday, Sir Keir said: “Since our first meeting in September, the president and I have spoken about the need to deepen and invest in the transatlantic relationship.” For centuries, the relationship between the two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership.
Meanwhile, speaking to the BBC from Washington, where she is attending Trump’s inauguration, shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said there were “hopes for his administration”. “From Britain’s perspectives it also means reopening discussions around a trade deal.” Farage said the government needs to “think outside the box” when dealing with the Trump administration. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s The Westminster Hour, Farage said: “This guy [Trump] does business differently to anybody else we’ve seen in global politics before.
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