Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have held a phone call six days after the President returned to the White House, Downing Street has confirmed.
Just hours after it emerged that the Prime Minister was forced to wait while Trump called the leaders of China, Saudi Arabia and El Salvador, No10 has issued an official readout of the pair’s call today.
Trump, who yesterday said Starmer had “done a very good job” so far and claimed the duo “get along well”, hailed the Royal Family and paid a touching tribute to the PM’s brother, who died on Boxing Day last year.
The trans-Atlantic two have also agreed to meet “soon”, No10 added.
Trump yesterday said Starmer had ‘done a very good job’ so far in No10
PA
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump on Sunday.
“President Trump opened by sending his condolences to the Prime Minister on the loss of his brother.
“The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his kind words and congratulated him on his inauguration.
“The Prime Minister paid tribute to President Trump’s role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza.
MORE ON THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP:
The PM also heaped praise on Trump for his role in securing an Israel-Hamas ceasefire
REUTERS
“The President welcomed the release of Emily Damari and sent his best wishes to her family.
“They discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East.
“They also discussed trade and the economy, with the Prime Minister setting out how we are deregulating to boost growth.
“The two leaders stressed the importance of the close and warm ties between the UK and the US, and the President spoke of his respect and affection for the Royal Family.
‘The two leaders stressed the importance of the close and warm ties between the UK and the US,’ Downing Street said
DOWNING STREET
“They agreed to meet soon and looked forward to further discussions then.”
Just days ago, the Prime Minister’s deputy official spokesman had appeared to issue a plea for Trump to call Starmer ahead of an expected visit to Washington.
He said: “The Prime Minister would welcome the opportunity to speak to President Trump at the earliest opportunity and they had a productive meeting in September and subsequent positive phone calls in recent months and he looks forward to speaking to him soon.”
When challenged on whether it was unusual that no phone call had taken place, the deputy official spokesman replied: “I wouldn’t accept that characterisation.”
