Trump, Starmer talk trade on first call since inauguration

WASHINGTON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump discussed trade in their first conversation since Mr Trump re-entered the White House. They also agreed to “meet soon”.

The leaders spoke about “how both countries can promote a fair bilateral economic relationship” during a phone call on Jan 26, according to a readout from the White House. Their discussion on trade comes amid Mr Trump’s threat to place tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China on Feb 1. 

Mr Trump has repeatedly complained about trade deficits and barriers, signalling he will use tariffs to bring bilateral trade into balance. It is not yet clear how high or widespread any such levies would be. He imposed tariffs and travel bans on Colombia on Jan 26, after the South American country refused to allow two planes carrying deported migrants to land on its soil.

While the US and Britain are historically close allies, Mr Trump’s policy agenda puts him at odds with Britain in several areas, including plans to begin trade tariffs, which could affect British exports even if he chooses not to directly target Britain. 

Mr Starmer sought to identify the few similarities between their economic plans on the call, by telling Mr Trump of his government’s move to deregulate planning regulation in order to boost economic growth.

Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is expected to green-light a series of major infrastructure projects in a speech later this week. 

Mr Starmer and Mr Trump also discussed the ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza, and promised to work together on security in the Middle East during their call.

Britain is seeking a constructive relationship with Trump’s administration, despite Mr Starmer – whose centre-left Labour Party entered office in 2024 – holding opposing political views to Mr Trump. 

The Premier is expected to visit Washington in the coming weeks. He first met Mr Trump over dinner in New York in September 2024 during the US presidential campaign, after which Mr Trump described them as “friends”, Bloomberg reported. 

Ahead of the call, Mr Trump praised Mr Starmer for doing a “very good job” during his first months in office and said that while the two leaders had different political outlooks, they had a “very good” relationship. 

“I like him a lot. He’s liberal, which is a little bit different for me. But I think he is a very good person. And I think he’s done a very good job thus far,” Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Jan 25. 

Mr Trump said that Britain and Saudi Arabia were both under consideration for his first trip abroad in his second term. The Middle Eastern country was his first foreign trip in 2017 when he entered the White House. BLOOMBERG