Politics
Starmer Responds To Trump Over US UK Trade Deal Threat
Keir Starmer has hit back at Donald Trump after the US president threatened to rip up the UK-US trade deal over over the pair’s rift on the Iran war.
The prime minister insisted he is “not going to yield” on the conflict despite pressure from the White House.
The trade agreement struck last year is seen as one of the biggest achievements of Starmer’s time in office.
But in an interview with Sky News on Tuesday, Trump said the deal “can always be changed” as relations between the two men remain in the deep freeze.
At prime minister questions on Wednesday, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey called on Starmer to cancel King Charles’ state visit to America later this month in responce.
The PM replied: “My position on the Iran war has been clear from the start. We’re not going to get dragged into this war. It is not our war.
“A lot of pressure has been applied to me to take a different course, and that pressure included what happened last night.
“I’m not going to change my mind. I’m not going to yield.
“It is not in our national interest to join this war, and we will not do so. I know where I stand.”
Starmer also took a pointed dig at Trump by insisting the so-called special relationship between Britain and the United States is bigger than any one person.
He said: “In relation to the King’s visit, this the purpose of the visit is to mark the 250th anniversary of relations and independence, obviously, of the US.
“The monarchy is an important reminder of the longstanding bonds and enduring relationship between our two countries, which are far greater than anyone who occupies any particular office at any particular time.”
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