Donald Trump live: Keir Starmer to meet US President at White House for crucial talks

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will carefully navigate around the shifting priorities of the administration of Donald Trump that is increasingly putting America's European allies on notice

Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Washington DC for crunch talks with Donald Trump in what has been described as one of the most important meetings between a British Prime Minister and US President since the end of WW2.

"We want to work with you, we want to welcome you to Britain," he said in a short speech at the British ambassador's residence. "We want a new partnership, because our history shows that when we work together great things happen."

But Mr Starmer will have to navigate a White House that appears to be keen to upend decades of trans-Atlantic cooperation. The US President yesterday announced a staggering 25 per cent tariff on imports from the European Union.

Mr Trump, 78, declared the bloc was created to "screw" the US, adding: "It will be 25 per cent, generally speaking, and that will be on cars and all other things." The prime minister will attempt to keep the president away from hitting the UK with similar punitive measuresduring his meeting today.

He will also hope to secure US support for Ukraine following a bizarre pivot and generous peace conditions for Russia to end the war. Mr Trump's administration appeared to put few demands on Moscow, branded Ukrainian President Zelensky a "dictator" before pursuing a mineral deal with the country which was initially criticised by many analysts as attempting to exploit Kyiv's vulnerable state before being toned down.

But Mr Starmer will have to think on his feet around the US President who has an earned reputation for unpredictability. The Republican was blasted yesterday after sharing an AI-generated video of a glitzy Gaza Strip, transformed to include casinos and Trump hotels complete with a massive golden statue of himself.

Follow the latest updates below.

09:28Anders Anglesey

'Really important week' for war in Ukraine, says UK cabinet minister

It’s a "really important week" in regards to the conflict in Ukraine, a Cabinet minister has said before the Prime Minister’s talks with Donald Trump.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News that Ukraine is "the number one item" on the agenda.

He told the station that "of course, when you come to these sorts of meetings, both sides will have different priorities," but the idea for the meeting will be to “establish the special relationship for the era that we’re living in."

09:28Anders Anglesey

Trump 'will claim credit' for Starmer's defence hike - but will want more

Donald Trump will view a 3 per cent of GDP defence target for the UK as the "minimum baseline" to tout as a success as Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares for his high stakes meeting in Washington DC.

Mr Starmer will head to the US on Thursday having recently announced the UK will increase its defence spending to 2.5 per cent by 2027. His announcement was met with support from the Tories and Lib Dems as the US security consensus for the continent that has endured for more than 70 years continues to fracture.

Mr Trump will likely take credit for the prime minister's pledge to increase defence spending during the visit. But Dr Thomas Gift, Director of the Centre on US Politics at University College London, told The Mirror Mr Trump would only view a higher amount as a success.

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09:28Anders Anglesey

Starmer's message to Trump ahead of meeting

PM Keir Starmer said he would welcome Donald Trump to the UK in hopes of shaping relations between the two countries.

Speaking at the British ambassador's residence, Mr Starmer said: "We want to work with you, we want to welcome you to Britain. We want a new partnership, because our history shows that when we work together great things happen."

Mr Starmer was also keen to emphasise the "special relationship" between the UK and US can go "from strength to strength."

09:28KEY EVENT

Keir Starmer arrives in Washington DC

The UK Prime Minister arrived in Washington DC on Wednesday night for crunch talks with US President Donald Trump.

Mr Starmer spoke at a glitzy party at the British ambassador Peter Mandelson's residence in the US capital. Speaking to the crowd, the Labour Prime Minister said: "I've only just arrived but I can feel there's a real buzz around Washington right now.

"You can sense that there's a new leader. He's a true one-off, a pioneer in business, in politics. Many people love him. Others love to hate him. But to us, he' s just…. Peter.

But beyond the jokes Mr Starmer will face a challenge to swing Mr Trump toward supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia as the US President has not committed to giving the country any security guarantees as part of any peace deal with Russia.