Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer speak by phone as the US president chooses the Prime Minister for his first call with a European leader after second inauguration - and the pair suggest they will 'meet soon'

Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have spoken on the phone for the first time following the new US president's swearing-in. 

Mr Trump chose the UK Prime Minister as his first call with a European leader following his second inauguration.

The President appeared to be trying to sooth relations between his administration and Labour today, as he claimed Sir Keir has done a 'very good job thus far' as Prime Minister.

The new US president said he had a 'very good relationship' with the PM and hinted he could yet make Britain the destination of his first oversees trip in his second term in the White House

Sir Keir Starmer and President Trump 'stressed the importance of the close and warm ties' between their countries and 'agreed to meet soon' in a call on Sunday, Downing Street has said. 

The pair reportedly spoke about the situation in Gaza in their first official call, with Mr Trump also sending his condolences to the PM for the recent death of his brother.  

Following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, a Downing Street spokesperson said: '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.

Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office on the day of his inauguration - he has hinted that the UK could be the destination of his first oversees trip

Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office on the day of his inauguration - he has hinted that the UK could be the destination of his first oversees trip 

Mr Starmer has actively tried to woo Mr Trump since Labour came to power in July last year, meeting him for several dinners

Mr Starmer has actively tried to woo Mr Trump since Labour came to power in July last year, meeting him for several dinners

President Donald Trump has now had his first official phone call with the British PM, reportedly talking about the situation in Gaza and sending his condolences for the recent death of Sir Keir's brother

President Donald Trump has now had his first official phone call with the British PM, reportedly talking about the situation in Gaza and sending his condolences for the recent death of Sir Keir's brother

'The Prime Minister paid tribute to President Trump's role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza

'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.

'They agreed to meet soon and looked forward to further discussions then.'

Sir Keir Starmer said he looked forward to meeting Donald Trump to 'strengthen the close ties between our countries'.

The Prime Minister said in a post on social media site X: 'I spoke with (President Donald Trump) today and congratulated him on his inauguration.

'I thanked him for his kind words on the loss of my brother. We discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East, for trade and economic growth.

British PM Sir Keir Starmer posted on X this evening following his first official telephone call with US President Donald Trump

British PM Sir Keir Starmer posted on X this evening following his first official telephone call with US President Donald Trump

The new US president said he had a 'very good relationship' with the PM and hinted he could yet make Britain the destination of his first oversees trip after returning to the White House

The new US president said he had a 'very good relationship' with the PM and hinted he could yet make Britain the destination of his first oversees trip after returning to the White House

Sir Keir and other senior Labour ministers have been engaged in a running battle with Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X and a senior ally of the president

Sir Keir and other senior Labour ministers have been engaged in a running battle with Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X and a senior ally of the president

'I look forward to meeting soon to strengthen the close ties between our countries.'

Sir Keir and other senior Labour ministers have been engaged in a running battle with Elon Musk, the billionaire X owner and a senior ally of the president.

But Mr Trump appears to have thrown Sir Keir a diplomatic lifeline,  as he revealed he could make Britain the first foreign trip of his new presidency.

But overnight the president was asked about his own relationship with the prime minister.

'I've met him already three times. He's come over to see me twice. I have a call. He and I have a call over the next 24 hours,' Mr Trump said. 

'Now I get along with him, well, I like him a lot. He's liberal, which is a little bit different for me, but I think he's a very good person. 

'I think he's done a very good job thus far. He's doing the job... but he's represented his country in terms of his philosophy.' 

Government sources said Sir Keir was ready to rearrange his plans and fly to Washington as soon as this week if Mr Trump invites him to the White House.

Nick Starmer, the brother of Sir Keir Starmer, died on Boxing Day aged 60 after suffering from cancer - Mr Trump, who lost his own brother to alcoholism, sent his condolences to Mr Starmer on their first official call

Nick Starmer, the brother of Sir Keir Starmer, died on Boxing Day aged 60 after suffering from cancer - Mr Trump, who lost his own brother to alcoholism, sent his condolences to Mr Starmer on their first official call

A Downing St spokesperson said the US president also warmly welcomed the release of British hostage Emily Damari and sent his best wishes to her family. Pictured: Emily Damari with her mother in Israel after her release on Sunday

A Downing St spokesperson said the US president also warmly welcomed the release of British hostage Emily Damari and sent his best wishes to her family. Pictured: Emily Damari with her mother in Israel after her release on Sunday

Downing Street said the PM #paid tribute to President Trump's role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza'. Pictured: British hostage Emily Damari prior to her release

Downing Street said the PM #paid tribute to President Trump's role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza'. Pictured: British hostage Emily Damari prior to her release

The US President’s intervention came as a relief to No 10, where officials have been trying in vain to place a call since Mr Trump returned to power last week.

Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, Mr Trump suggested the UK could be the first country he visits in his second term in office.

‘It could be Saudi Arabia, it could be UK,’ he said. ‘Traditionally, it could be UK.

‘Last time I went to Saudi Arabia because they agreed to buy $450 billion of American United States merchandise.’

Sir Keir has gone out of his way to mend fences with Mr Trump following the outspoken criticism of his first term by senior Labour figures.

In 2019, when Mr Trump suggested Boris Johnson would do a ‘very good job’ as PM, Sir Keir responded on social media: ‘An endorsement from Donald Trump tells you everything you need to know about what is wrong with Boris Johnson’s politics and why he isn’t fit to be Prime Minister.’

Foreign Secretary David Lammy went further, describing Mr Trump as a ‘tyrant in a toupee’ and a ‘woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath’.

But the two men are said to have had cordial talks during a two-hour dinner with Mr Trump at his New York headquarters in September and are now looking to maintain Britain’s historic ‘special relationship’.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Mr Trump as a ‘tyrant in a toupee’ and a ‘woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath’ during Labour's time in opposition

Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Mr Trump as a ‘tyrant in a toupee’ and a ‘woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath’ during Labour's time in opposition 

Mr Lammy's tweet about Mr Trump's visit to the UK during his first term. Mr Lammy, now UK Foreign Secretary, says that Mr Trump doesn't not bear a grudge, but some of those who have worked with Mr Trump say he has a long memory for his critics

Mr Lammy's tweet about Mr Trump's visit to the UK during his first term. Mr Lammy, now UK Foreign Secretary, says that Mr Trump doesn't not bear a grudge, but some of those who have worked with Mr Trump say he has a long memory for his critics

Sir Keir Starmer also had some choice words to say about Mr Trump back in 2019 after he endorsed Boris Johnson in that year's UK general election

Sir Keir Starmer also had some choice words to say about Mr Trump back in 2019 after he endorsed Boris Johnson in that year's UK general election 

In recent days, Downing Street has faced growing questions about why the new President has called the leaders of countries El Salvador and Jordan before the UK.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken to counterparts in 22 countries, including Latvia, Costa Rica and Yemen, but has yet to call Mr Lammy.

No 10 is already in talks with Buckingham Palace about extending the offer of a second state visit to Mr Trump, who is an enthusiastic supporter of the Royal Family.

However, the decision to select Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington has placed an early strain on relations.

Mr Trump’s campaign manager Chris LaCivita said Lord Mandelson was ‘an absolute moron’ who should ‘stay home’ after details of his past criticism of Mr Trump emerged.

Some Republican sources have suggested his appointment could even be vetoed by the White House because of concern over his business links to China.

Former foreign secretary David Miliband has been positioning himself as a potential replacement if Lord Mandelson is blocked. But his close friendship with Mr Trump’s bitter rival Hillary Clinton is likely to prove a major hurdle.

One ally of Mr Trump told the Sun: ‘He doesn’t like Peter Mandelson but has no time for David Miliband either. The leftie political appointments are bizarre... no-one called Miliband will stand a chance.’

The appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson, one of the architects of New Labour and a close Starmer ally, as Britain’s ambassador to Washington has gone down badly with the new US administration

The appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson, one of the architects of New Labour and a close Starmer ally, as Britain’s ambassador to Washington has gone down badly with the new US administration 

Mr Trump’s campaign manager Chris LaCivita said Lord Mandelson was ‘an absolute moron’ who should ‘stay home’ after details of his past criticism of Mr Trump emerged

Mr Trump’s campaign manager Chris LaCivita said Lord Mandelson was ‘an absolute moron’ who should ‘stay home’ after details of his past criticism of Mr Trump emerged

The PM has also been subjected to harsh criticism from Elon Musk, who has called for Sir Keir to be ousted over his refusal to call another public inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal

The PM has also been subjected to harsh criticism from Elon Musk, who has called for Sir Keir to be ousted over his refusal to call another public inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal

The PM has also had a bitter public feud with Elon Musk, who has called for Sir Keir to be ousted over his refusal to call a public inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.

Sir Keir is keen to reassure Mr Trump that his controversial £9 billion deal to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will not endanger the security of a UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.

Ministers are also desperate to avoid getting dragged into a trade war with a US president who backed Brexit and is threatening to impose tariffs on imports from the EU.

Yesterday it emerged that the UK could also become embroiled in Mr Trump’s controversial bid to take control of Greenland, which is currently part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Mr Trump has a ‘fiery call’ with Danish PM Mette Frederikson after laying claim publicly to the strategically important Arctic island.

Under the terms of a 1917 deal, Britain would have first refusal if Denmark ever decided to sell the island.

Tom Hoyen, who was Denmark’s representative in Greenland from 1982-7 said the agreement was struck at a time when Britain controlled nearby Canada and the US was engaged in another attempt to buy Greenland.

He told the Sunday Times: ‘If Trump tried to buy Greenland, he would have to ask London first. The UK demanded in 1917 that if Greenland were to be sold then the UK should have the first right to buy it.’

A 'Neo-Nazi sympathiser' and a 'sad little man': The rash comments about Trump that Labour ministers are trying to forget  

KEIR STARMER 

Last year, Sir Keir compared the Conservative Party with Mr Trump as he accused the Tories of falling far from Churchillian values.

'Is there anybody in the Government now who feels a sense of obligation to anything other than their own self-interest? To democracy, the rule of law, serving our country?' he asked in a speech in Buckinghamshire.

'An entitlement to power totally unchecked by any sense of service or responsibility - that's the cultural stain that runs through the modern Conservative Party.'

He added: 'These aren't Churchill's Tories any more. If anything they behave more and more like Donald Trump. They look at the politics of America and they want to bring that here.

'It's all woke, woke, woke. Wedge, wedge, wedge. Divide, divide, divide.'

In June, the prime minister said following Mr Trump's hush money trial conviction that it was an 'unprecedented situation'.

'We will work with whoever is elected president ... that's what you'd expect,' Sir Keir said.

'We have a special relationship with the US that transcends whoever the president is, but it is an unprecedented situation, there is no doubt about that.'

In the lead up to this year's US presidential election, Sir Keir maintained that the Government will work with whoever is president.

FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVID LAMMY 

In 2017, Mr Lammy called Mr Trump a 'racist and KKK/neo-Nazi sympathiser'.

A year later, the Tottenham MP wrote in Time magazine that he would be protesting against the then-government's 'capitulation to this tyrant in a toupee', in reference to Mr Trump's first official visit to the UK.

'Trump is not only a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath,' Mr Lammy wrote, 'he is also a profound threat to the international order that has been the foundation of Western progress for so long.'

Asked about his past comments earlier this year, Mr Lammy said: 'Where I can find common cause with Donald Trump, I will find common cause'.

He offered his congratulations to Mr Trump on Wednesday morning, saying: 'We look forward to working with you and @JDVance in the years ahead.'

DEPUTY PM ANGELA RAYNER 

Ms Rayner has publicly criticised Mr Trump more than once in posts on X, formerly Twitter.

On the day of the Capitol Hill riots in 2021, she tweeted: 'The violence that Donald Trump has unleashed is terrifying, and the Republicans who stood by him have blood on their hands.'

Later in January that year, Ms Rayner said of the inauguration of Joe Biden as president: 'I am so happy to see the back of Donald Trump, but even more so to see @KamalaHarris as VP.'

HEALTH SECRETARY WES STREETING 

In 2017, Mr Streeting called Trump an 'odious, sad little man' in a post on X.

'Imagine being proud to have that as your president,' he added.

Asked on Tuesday about the social media post, the Health Secretary told Good Morning Britain: 'The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have been working hard to build a relationship with President Trump and his team, so that in the event that he is elected as the next president of the United States, we start with the strong working relationship which is in our national interest and in the interests of the United States as well.'

ENERGY SECRETARY ED MILIBAND  

Mr Miliband labelled Mr Trump a 'groper' and a 'racist' in November 2016.

'The idea that we have shared values with a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper beggars belief,' Mr Miliband told the BBC.

'And I think we should be deeply worried about the implications for many of the things that we care about. Tackling climate change - he says it's invented by the Chinese, climate change, it's a hoax. His attitude to Russia.

'And then this fantasy about trade. I mean, this guy is anti-trade. He's an odd combination of protectionism, plus the old trickle-down formula that has got us into a lot of this mess in the first place.'