PM Keir Starmer praises Trump for Gaza ceasefire deal during diplomatic call

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his "role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza" during a 45-minute call between the two leaders on Sunday. The call followed Trump's public praise of Starmer for doing a "very good job thus far," describing their relationship as "very good."

The Gaza ceasefire agreement, brokered before Trump’s inauguration, involved close coordination between the incoming Trump administration and that of former President Joe Biden. The deal led to the release of hostages, including 28-year-old British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, who was among the first to be freed. A Hamas official credited Trump’s insistence on a resolution before his inauguration, warning of “hell to pay” if the hostages were not released.

During the call, Trump and Starmer discussed their shared priorities, including security in the Middle East. Starmer also outlined his government’s focus on deregulation to boost growth, referencing recent plans to block repeated legal challenges to major infrastructure projects and hints at expanding Heathrow Airport.

While the conversation avoided contentious topics such as the proposed deal on the Chagos Islands or potential US tariffs, it was described as cordial. Trump began by offering condolences to Starmer for the recent loss of his brother and expressed admiration for the UK Royal Family, calling Prince William a "fantastic" leader.

Starmer later posted on X, saying, “I look forward to meeting soon to strengthen the close ties between our countries.” A visit to Washington is expected in the coming weeks, marking their first in-person meeting since Trump resumed office.

The White House stated that the discussion emphasized fostering fair bilateral economic relations, though specific policies, including tariffs, were not elaborated upon in the Downing Street summary. Despite philosophical differences, the exchange underscored a willingness to maintain strong US-UK ties.

4o