Sir Keir Starmer has sent congratulations to Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration as president on Monday saying the UK and US would “continue to build upon the unshakeable foundations of our historic alliance”.
The prime minister said they would “tackle “global challenges” and “focus on shared opportunities ahead for growth”, adding the “special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States will continue to flourish for years to come”.
A treasury minister earlier said the UK government was optimistic about the chances of a good relationship with the incoming US administration, highlighting “opportunities” around a potential post-Brexit trade deal.
However, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has claimed Sir Keir is in a “weak” negotiating position due to his wish to strengthen ties with the EU at the same time as with the US.
Ahead of the US Election, Sir Keir and Trump met in New York at Trump Tower.
In a statement on Sunday, Sir Keir said: “Since our first meeting in September, the president and I have spoken about the need to deepen and invest in the transatlantic relationship.”
Sir Keir said: “I look forward to our next meeting as we continue our shared mission to ensure the peace, prosperity and security of our two great nations.”
He said: “For centuries, the relationship between our two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership. It is a uniquely close bond.”
He added the “depth of friendship will continue across the Atlantic”.
Trump threat to impose tariffs and what his return to Washington could mean for US support for Ukraine could be among the first issues raised during his second term.
On the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones Jones suggested the UK could dodge Trump’s pledge for a 20% tax on all imports into the US due to not being in a “trade deficit”, adding ministers have “prepared for all scenarios”.
He said the government “need to see what the Trump administration do” but also that Trump is “well known for wanting to do a good deal”.
Meanwhile, speaking to the BBC from Washington, where she is attending Trump’s inauguration, shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said there were “hopes for his administration”.
“We need to continue to build upon that and at a time when our world is facing so many global challenges… we need to ensure that our strongest and closest ally is really in lock step with us,” she said.
Patel continued: “From Britain’s perspectives it also means reopening discussions around a trade deal.”
Farage said the government needs to “think outside the box” when dealing with the Trump administration.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s The Westminster Hour, Farage said: “I think what this government does, is what all governments do – they stick with the established, status quo methods of appointing people.
“This guy [Trump] does business differently to anybody else we’ve seen in global politics before.”
Farage, a long-time supporter of Trump, has previously offered to act as a go-between in negotiations with the president-elect but has so far been rejected by the government.
“They don’t think they need me – but they might find in short order that maybe they do,” he said.
Elsewhere, Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said that Trump’s return to the White House would be “deeply worrying for millions of people in the UK and around the world.”
“With a President who promises trade wars, undermines Nato and praises Vladimir Putin, the threats to our national security and our economy are clear,” he said.
