US, UK have done ‘more good than any two nations in history’, says Trump, as Starmer declares ‘new era’ in ties

US President Donald Trump on Thursday praised the United States and the United Kingdom as having “more good than any two nations in history,” while Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared the two nations had “renewed the special relationship for a new era.”

Addressing a joint press briefing with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, Trump said, “The United States and the United Kingdom have done more good on this planet than any two nations in human history. The two countries are forever joined and will forever be friends.”

Describing his visit as “unforgettable”, Trump said he was “tremendously thankful” for the hospitality during his visit and that King Charles III and Queen Camilla are “two fantastic people.”

Trump said that the UK was his first trade partner during his presidency and joked that the deal may have been better for Britain.

Starmer stepped in tactfully, saying it was “a good deal for both of us.”

In his opening remarks, Starmer praised the historic bonds between Britain and the United States, adding that both countries are “ready to define this century together.”

“We’ve renewed the special relationship for a new era,” Starmer said.

“The United Kingdom and the United States stand together, as first partners on defence, first partners in trade, and with the groundbreaking deal we struck in May and now with the agreement that we’ve just signed this afternoon, we’re confirming our status as the first partners in science and technology, ready to define this century together,” the prime minister added..

Starmer said the new partnership in science and record-breaking US investment into the UK will generate as many as 15,000 jobs.

Talks on global conflicts

The leaders also discussed global conflicts, with Starmer confirming that the UK and US are working closely on a comprehensive plan for peace in Gaza, while continuing to support Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Starmer warned that Russia’s escalating attacks on Ukraine reveal President Vladimir Putin’s lack of interest in any genuine peace effort.

“In recent days, Putin has shown his true face – mounting the biggest attack since the invasion began, with yet more bloodshed, yet more innocents killed, and unprecedented violations of Nato airspace,” Starmer said, referencing Russian drones that crossed into Polish territory last week.

“These are not the actions of someone who wants peace,” he said.

Starmer said he and President Trump discussed ways to “increase the pressure on Putin to get him to agree to a peace deal that will last.”

Trump, meanwhile, delivered a blunt assessment of his own attempts to broker an end to the conflict, saying Putin had “let me down.”

Trump expressed frustration that his relationship with the Russian leader had failed to yield progress.

“The one that I thought would be easiest would be because of my relationship with President Putin,” Trump said, after touting other conflicts he claims to have helped resolve. “He’s let me down. He’s really let me down.”

He added that he initially believed the Russia-Ukraine war “might be among the easiest of the group” to resolve, but that recent developments had dashed those hopes.

Last month’s high-profile summits — including a meeting with Putin in Alaska and separate talks at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders — have so far produced no breakthroughs.

Still, Trump insisted that a resolution would eventually come.

“Russia and Ukraine will get done, but you never know in war,” he said.

“War is a different thing. Things happen that are very opposite of what you thought. You thought you were going to have an easy time or a hard time and it turns out to be the reverse,” he added.

Earlier, Trump and  Starmer signed a tech partnership to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and nuclear energy.

“It is the biggest investment package of its kind in British history,” AFP quoted Starmer as saying at his country residence Chequers during Trump’s UK state visit, calling the agreement “groundbreaking.”

Trump’s visit has delivered pledges from mostly US tech giants and financial groups to invest a combined £150 billion ($205 billion) in Britain over several years.

With inputs from agencies

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