Following a meeting at the White House with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, President Donald Trump has indicated the possibility of a US-UK trade deal without tariffs. This encounter took place as part of a broader European charm offensive seeking to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine—an effort that also included French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit on Monday. Sir Keir’s meeting with Trump occurred just before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s arrival in Washington.
During both their private discussion and a subsequent news conference, Trump and Sir Keir exchanged favorable remarks. Trump hailed Sir Keir as a “special man” and a “great gentleman,” while Sir Keir praised Trump’s influence on the situation in Ukraine. Trump, known for imposing tariffs on multiple countries earlier in his presidency, hinted that the UK might be spared such measures this time, describing Sir Keir as a “tough negotiator” who lobbied against tariffs on British goods.
“He put in a lot of effort,” Trump noted. “I believe there is a strong likelihood that these two great, friendly nations could reach a trade agreement where tariffs are not needed.”
Trump’s openness to a tariff-free deal marks a significant shift in tone, given his history of using tariffs as leverage in trade negotiations. In a televised segment airing at 14:15, Sky correspondents dissected the transatlantic meeting, examining how any future US-UK trade arrangement could reshape economic ties and further bolster diplomatic relations. Sir Keir, for his part, welcomed the president’s comments, emphasizing that a smoother trading environment could pave the way for broader collaboration between the two countries.
The meeting also served as a platform for discussing ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. President Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, coming on the heels of these high-level talks, underscores the international push for stability in the region. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine and signaled that close cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom will remain a cornerstone of that effort.