The comments from the erratic US President – who has repeatedly criticised Keir Starmer in recent weeks – come as tensions rise over America’s war in the Middle East
Donald Trump has lashed out at the “sad” state of the US-UK special relationship – and even threatened Britain over a trade deal.
The comments from the erratic US President, who has repeatedly criticised Keir Starmer in recent weeks, come as tensions rise over America’s war in the Middle East. The US-Israeli decision to bomb Iran has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes – pushing up global oil prices.
In an interview with Sky News, the US President said he liked Mr Starmer, but hit out at the UK government’s policies on energy and immigration. According to the broadcaster, Mr Trump first reportedly replied “with whom” when asked how he would describe the special relationship right now.
He then said: “How is the relationship? It’s the relationship where: when we asked them for help, they were not there. When we needed them, they were not there. When we didn’t need them, they were not there. And they still aren’t there.”
The American President then warned: “Well it’s been better, but it’s sad. And we gave them a good trade deal, better than I had to, which can always be changed.” He also said of the PM: “I like Starmer – but I think he’s made a tragic mistake in closing North Sea oil. You see your energy prices are the highest in the world.”
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Pressed whether the strained relationship will overshadow the King’s Royal visit to the United States later this month, he replied: “No. Not at all. I’ve known the King for a long time and he is not involved in that process.”
But the UK Treasury minister James Murray described the special relationship as “deep and long-standing” on Sky News on Tuesday.
Mr Trump’s remarks also follow Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s criticism of the US war with Iran. In an interview with The Mirror, Ms Reeves said she was “very frustrated and angry” at America’s actions as families across Britain suffer the consequences.
She told The Mirror: “This is a war that we did not start. It was a war that we did not want. I feel very frustrated and angry that the US went into this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what they were trying to achieve. “And as a result the Strait of Hormuz is now blocked,” the Chancellor added.
Ms Reeves went on: “Obviously no sensible person is a supporter of the Iranian regime, but to start a conflict without being clear what the objectives are and not being clear about how you are going to get out of it, I do think that is a folly and it is one that is affecting families here in the UK but also families in the US and around the world.”
