Why Donald Trump keeps bailing out Keir Starmer from international humiliation
TThe intervention of Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to save Sir Keir Starmer’s blushes on Monday morning was telling. And it follows a deliberate pattern of interaction between the right-wing White House and centre-left Downing Street throughout the year.
Things were starting to get out of control due to the UK prime minister’s involvement in the Middle East peace process.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckerbee and the Israeli government publicly humiliated the British government by belittling Education Minister Bridget Phillipson’s statement claiming that Britain played an important role in reaching the agreement.
Sir Keir’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state was still causing uneasiness both in Tel Aviv and among members of the wider Trump administration, and they were in no mood to give the UK prime minister any credit.
But as Sir Keir faced international embarrassment before flying to Egypt to sign the Gaza deal, the Trump administration came to his aid.
Witkoff, who is almost certainly under the direction of the US president, posted on
One of the most notable things about it was the political cover it provided for Mr. Powell, who is facing demands for impeachment, particularly over the row over the collapse of the case against two alleged Chinese spies.
But it was extraordinary at a time when the US president was basking in his own success and busy accepting the laurels of his diplomatic victory. He was unwilling to share much, if any, credit; So why is he doing this for the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?
This isn’t the first time Trump has come to Starmer’s aid. He did this with the flawed Chagos Islands agreement; Lord Mandelson being allowed to become US ambassador despite warnings about his links to China and Jeffrey Epstein; giving Britain its first trade deal and making public statements about what a strong negotiator and good man Sir Keir was.
President Trump may have been impressed by Sir Keir’s “beautiful wife” Lady Victoria, whom he is always keen to praise.
Trump may like and respect Starmer as an international statesman who strives to reach out to Starmer despite differences in political philosophy.
Trump, whose mother comes from Scotland, also really loves England and does not hide this fact.
But this is the most transactional president in US history. The truth is that the honor of last month’s state visit played a big role in Trump wanting to help Starmer. Now the hope that King Charles will be in the White House on the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 is an equally important carrot to seduce the president.
In addition, sources suggested that the US administration “cannot let Britain fail” because “the president needs an ally who will succeed to justify his foreign policy approach.”
They point out that Trump has been more successful investing in Britain than other allies. France is in economic and political trouble, Germany is more in the background, and at the same time, it is having difficulty keeping the weakening EU economy afloat.
As one source put it: “Trump needs Britain to stand on its own.”
Whatever the reason, Sir Keir’s greatest achievement during a troubled term as prime minister was his foreign policy and the respect he commanded abroad. This is because his excellent relationship with Trump has made him the liaison man with other Western allies and someone other leaders seek to emulate.
