Keir Starmer is meeting with Donald Trump in New York as part of an effort to build a good relationship with the Republican presidential candidate.
The prime minister, who is on a trip to the United Nations General Assembly, was unable to schedule a meeting with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in Washington.
But he was scheduled to go to the former Republican president's Trump Tower on Thursday night for a meeting to build rapport.
Starmer told reporters: “I have said many times that I would like to meet both candidates. We have had the opportunity to meet President Trump, which is good. Of course I would also like to speak to Harris. But you know, it's a regular diary challenge, but it's good that this has been modified. It's going to really establish the relationship between the two of us.
“I'm a big believer in personal relationships on the international stage. I think it's really important in any country to know who your opponent is, to know them, to get to know them personally, directly. I think so.”
Trump comes just hours after the former US president warned of a “massive invasion” of the United States by rival Harris and a “sudden suffocating flood” of millions of illegal immigrants. I was scheduled to have a meeting with. He previously met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. During the meeting, Harris suggested that President Trump's approach to the Russia war amounted to surrender.
“I'm going to meet him in about an hour so I have to be nice to him,” Trump said of Starmer. Actually, I think he's a very nice person. He ran a great race and did very well. Although very early, he is popular. It's very early, but I appreciate your help. ”
Asked about reformist leader Nigel Farage, he said: He did very well in the elections, winning many seats and winning more seats than he was actually allowed to hold. They admitted that he won, but for some reason there is a strange system there, you may win, but you don't understand it. Nigel is a great guy. ”
Ahead of the meeting, the Prime Minister addressed world leaders in the United Nations General Assembly, telling world leaders that the UK would approach international relations with less “paternalism”, more listening and less saying than in the past. Ta.
He also implored Israel and Hezbollah to back away from the brink of a widespread war “that no one can control.”
“I call on Israel and Hezbollah to stop the violence and step back from the brink. We need an immediate ceasefire to give room for a diplomatic solution, and we are working with all partners to that end.” Ta.
Mr Starmer declined to say what he would discuss with Mr Trump or whether aid to Ukraine would come up, given the Republican candidate's skepticism about US financial support for Kiev.
Asked if Trump's appointment would further isolate Britain on the world stage, Starmer said the “special relationship” with the US “takes precedence over the people who hold certain positions.” Ta.
“It’s really important,” he said. “When it comes to the Middle East and Ukraine, I think we're stronger now than we've probably ever been…The American people will decide who they want to be president, and as you can imagine, we're going to work together no matter who is president. I'm not going to speculate on what specific issues are behind the election.”
The meeting came after Interior Minister Angela Eagle risked undermining diplomatic efforts with President Trump by saying in a speech: Events associated with the Labor Party Conference His rhetoric emboldened racists.
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Eagle said President Trump helped stir up “vitriol” against immigrants through social media. He also said the right-wing Conservative Party had used “harmful rhetoric” in repelling the challenge from Reform Britain, using language that would give racists “flashing yellow”.
Asked about Eagle's comments on Tuesday, President Trump's press secretary said: “No one knows who this random person is and no one cares what comes out of her mouth. Who is she? What are you doing?”
Mr Starmer on Tuesday did not back up Mr Eagle's comments when asked if he was correct.
Mr Starmer spoke to the UN Security Council after saying earlier in the week that Russia, one of the five permanent members of the council, should be ashamed of appearing in the building after the invasion of Ukraine. He called for a permanent representative from Africa.
Mr Starmer also said there should be permanent seats for Brazil, India, Japan and Germany, as well as more elected seats.
He also warned of a level of conflict unprecedented in the history of the United Nations.
“The majority of humanitarian needs in the world today are caused by conflict…in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen and elsewhere,” he said.
The prime minister said that after 20 years of gains in tackling poverty, disease and health problems, one of the main reasons why progress is currently stalling is war, which he described as a “man-made disease”. A catastrophe caused.”
