Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer Trade Jokes and a Few Digs in Press Conference: Watch the Highlights

Mar. 15, 2025

U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpand British Prime MinisterKeir Starmercontinued their diplomatic visit on Thursday, Feb. 27, giving a joint press conference in which they took a few lighthearted shots at one another before getting down to business.

“What a beautiful accent,” Trump, 78, said of the left-leaning Labour Party leader. “I would have been president 20 years ago if I had that accent.”

The president was then asked if Starmer, 62, had persuaded him to not impose tariffs on the United Kingdom.

“He tried,” Trump replied with a laugh. “He was working hard, I’ll tell you that. He earned whatever the hell they pay him over there.”

“He’s a very, very tough negotiator,” Trump added. “I’m not sure I like that, but that’s okay.”

The president did eventually come closer to answering the question, noting that he was optimistic that the two “friendly countries” could reach a “real trade deal, where the tariffs would not be necessary.”

U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hold a joint press conference on Feb. 27, 2025.JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty

Ultimately, both leaders emphasized the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and UK. Starmer pressed Trump on working together to bring peace to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and not side with “the invader."

“There can’t be peace that rewards the aggressor,” Starmer said, referring to Russia, which Trump has defended.

“We’ve talked and we will talk about how we work with yourself, Mr. President, to ensure that this deal is something which is not violated,” Starmer added. “It’s very important that if there is a deal, we keep it.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands at the White House on Feb. 27.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

Starmer was the second European leader to visit Trump in the final week of February. French PresidentEmmanuel Macronmet with the presidenton Monday, Feb. 24, and also took the time to warn him to “be careful” with his approach to peace in Ukraine.

“I think the arrival of President Trump is a game-changer,” Macron said in their joint press conference. “I think he has the deterrence capacity of the U.S. to reengage with Russia.”

“We want peace,” he continued. “And I think the initiative of President Trump is a very positive one. But my message was to say be careful because we need something substantial for Ukraine.”

On Friday, Feb. 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House to engage in peace talks. Minutes into an Oval Office press conference, Trump and Vice PresidentJ.D. Vanceraised their voices at Zelenskyy and accused him of being ungrateful toward the U.S.

source: people.com