Trump, Starmer hold talks with focus on trade, wars in Ukraine and Gaza

US President Donald Trump has arrived at the Chequers, the country residence of the British Prime Minister, to hold talks with Sir Keir Starmer. Trade and tariffs, the Russian war on Ukraine, and the situation in the Gaza Strip are likely to dominate their discussions.

After a day of regal welcome and royal banquet, the second day of Trump’s state visit will involve tough diplomacy.

The two leaders are set to project the US tech investment pledges to the tune of $42 billion in the United Kingdom as a great success.

British media reported that while Starmer has given up the scope of getting further relaxations in tariffs at the moment, he is set to focus on the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the Israeli war in Gaza. Russian aerial incursions into Nato members’ airspaces may also be part of the discussion.

Starmer will focus on persuading Trump to take stronger action against Russia for its refusal to agree to a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine or hold serious peace talks. In the wake of Trump’s mediation, instead of coming to the negotiating table, Russia has ramped up attacks and has gone beyond Ukraine to mount aerial incursions into Polish and Romanian airspaces.

While Trump has pleased Europe lately by calling Russia the “aggressor” and clearing the first arms package under a Nato-led procurement programme, Starmer and Trump may not find middle ground on Gaza where they have completely different positions.

While Starmer is under pressure from his party and constituents to push Trump to press Israel to come to the negotiating table, Trump has supported Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the hilt — and his own proposal to occupy Gaza has essentially killed the two-state solution. On his part, Starmer has committed to the two-state solution and will reportedly recognise the Palestinian statehood as early as this weekend.

The Trump administration has dubbed the recognition of Palestinian state as rewarding terrorism.