UK's Starmer agrees to meet Trump soon

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed UK-U.S. ties, the royal family, trade, and Middle East peace in a call, agreeing to meet soon for further talks.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on Sunday, during which they discussed the royal family and the strong relationship between their two nations.

According to a statement from Downing Street, the leaders expressed their commitment to the "close and warm ties" shared by the UK and the U.S., with Trump highlighting his admiration for the royal family.

The conversation concluded with an agreement to meet in the near future for further discussions. Starmer emphasized Britain's efforts to attract investment from the U.S. and its businesses as part of his government's strategy to revitalize the UK’s sluggish economy.

Meanwhile, Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, hinted that his first international trip could be to Saudi Arabia or the UK, fueling speculation in British media about a potential state visit to London. 

The Downing Street statement did not touch on topics like defence spending, an area of potential disagreement, as Trump has previously urged NATO allies, including Britain, to increase their military budgets. It also omitted any mention of the Chagos Islands, where Britain awaits a U.S. review of an agreement with Mauritius concerning a shared military base.

In their conversation, Starmer and Trump addressed developments in the Middle East, with the UK prime minister commending Trump's role in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. They also discussed trade and economic matters, with Starmer outlining Britain's ongoing deregulation efforts aimed at boosting economic growth.

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