During a press conference at Chequers, Donald Trump emphasized the strong relationship between the US and Britain, despite differing views with Keir Starmer on Palestine, immigration, and energy bills. Although there were moments of tension, Downing Street officials were relieved that the President did not completely derail the event.
Trump expressed disagreement with the UK Prime Minister on various issues, such as not supporting the UK’s plan to recognize Palestine at the United Nations. He also suggested using military intervention to address the small boats crisis and criticized wind power while advocating for oil and gas exploitation in the North Sea to reduce energy costs.
Regarding US Ambassador Peter Mandelson, who was dismissed by Starmer due to connections with Jeffrey Epstein, Trump claimed to not know him well, despite their previous interactions. He also discussed his disappointment with Vladimir Putin and his strategy to pressure Putin through oil sanctions to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Addressing the Ukraine war, Trump believed it could be easily resolved due to his relationship with Putin and expressed concerns about the potential for a third world war. He urged Hamas to release hostages promptly and disagreed with the UK’s expected recognition of Palestine at the UN.
The press conference followed discussions at Chequers, where Trump and Starmer engaged in dialogue on various issues. The event was deemed successful by No 10 sources, praising Starmer’s handling of the conference. Melania Trump also enjoyed a tour of the Churchill archive and a parachute display by the Red Devils stunt team during the visit.