Overview

• Keir Starmer's first visit to the White House under President Trump was marked by cordial interactions despite their ideological differences.
• Trump praised the U.K. and Starmer, hinting at the possibility of a U.S.-U.K. trade deal while remaining noncommittal on lifting EU tariffs for Britain.
• Starmer presented a letter from King Charles III inviting Trump for a second state visit to the U.K., a rare occurrence for an elected leader.
• Tensions flared the next day when Ukrainian President Zelensky clashed with Trump during a White House meeting, leading to Zelensky's ejection and an unsigned mineral resources deal.
• Starmer aims to position the U.K. as a bridge between the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine, but Trump's unpredictability and reluctance to commit to security guarantees complicate efforts.