Sir Keir Starmer wants to have a “constructive relationship” with newly-inaugurated US President Donald Trump, Number 10 has said.
Downing Street confirmed yesterday that the prime minister and Mr Trump held a 45-minute phone call, and the pair agreed to “meet soon”.
It is understood a number of topics, including the war in Ukraine and the Chagos Islands deal, did not come up during the call.
Sir Keir’s spokesman said the prime minister “looks forward” to meeting Mr Trump, and wants to have a “constructive relationship with him”.
He said the tone of the call was “very warm and constructive”.
A “wide range of areas” were covered, the spokesman added.
No 10 won’t commit to timeline for 2.5% defence spending
Downing Street has refused to commit to a timeline for reaching the government’s 2.5% defence spending target.
It comes after speculation that Sir Keir Starmer may be considering ditching the pledge, which formed part of Labour’s election manifesto.
Asked about a plan to deliver this, the prime minister’s spokesman said a “pathway” will be “set out in the spring” to ensure “we have military force fit for future”.
He added that a strategic defence review will look at threats and consider “what capabilities we need for the 21st century”.
Asked again if a pathway for this will be revealed in the spring, the spokesman said the government has “always said this – but cannot get ahead of this”.
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