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Sir Keir Starmer seeks to train “a bridge” between Washington and Europe in a context of deepening transatlantic tensions on Ukraine, trade, defense and freedom of expression.
The British Prime Minister should attend a summit organized by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday to discuss a European approach to end the war in Ukraine, in the midst of signs that US President Donald Trump is out of the continent .
Starmer should then go to Washington in the last week of February to try to persuade Trump to fully involve European nations in Ukraine and try to trigger American prices.
The Prime Minister said that it was “a unique moment for our national security when we are committed to the reality of the world today and the threat that we are confronted with Russia”.
He added: “The United Kingdom will endeavor to guarantee the United States and Europe. We cannot allow any division of the Alliance to distract enemies we face. »»
Downing Street said he was expecting that there was another meeting of European leaders, notably the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after Starmer returned from his talks with Trump.
Great Britain – like other European countries – undergoes fierce pressure from Trump to increase defense spending on a background of slow growth and tense public services.
Starmer has undertaken to explain “a way” to pass defense expenses in the United Kingdom of 2.3% of GDP to 2.5%, but has not been said so far when this objective would be achieved . Chancellor Rachel Reeves tries to have expenses at 2.3%, because her tax plans are subject to high tension.
The idea of a British “bridge” between Washington and Europe collapsed after Brexit, American presidents often preferring to speak in Berlin or Paris with EU leaders in Brussels.
But the Allies of Starmer believe that Trump has a positive vision of Great Britain, which could be exploited in political influence, even if the vice-president JD Vance criticized the approach of the United Kingdom to the freedom of expression.
“I believe that we, in the United Kingdom, can be a bridge between the United States and Europe while we adapt to this new era,” said Jonathan Reynolds, business and trade secretary on Sunday. “It’s certainly a new era.”
Reynolds told Laura Kuensberg of the BBC that the relatively high levels of defense spending by Great Britain, a balanced commercial relationship and light regulation of artificial intelligence could operate to the advantage of the United Kingdom.
“There is certainly a vision of Europe and a different vision of us in the United Kingdom,” said Reynolds. “We are fortunate to play a constructive role.” On trade, he said that the United States had seen Great Britain “in a different light”.
Lord Peter Mandelson, UK ambassador to Washington, said that Great Britain should make a virtue of being “not Europe “. It remains to be seen if it is a vow vow on the part of Starmer, given the declared plan of Trump to take the prices at all levels and the criticism of Vance for Great Britain last week.
Vance said to the Munich Security Conference last week that “the fundamental freedoms of the British religious, in particular” were threatened, criticizing the continuation of an anti-abortion demonstrator.
Even if Starmer Persuade Trump to give special treatment in Great Britain – for example on prices – this would complicate the parallel attempt to “reset” relations with the EU, including the abolition of trade barriers.
Trump said on Friday that Starmer asked Washington a meeting and said the two leaders had “a lot of good things.” He said that the meeting would take place “very soon”, adding: “I think he wanted to come next week or the following week.”
David Lammy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, also urged the United States not to disengage from kyiv, saying that Washington should link American commercial interests – including the defense and industrial sectors – to the future defense of Ukraine .
“This is what will make Putin sit and be careful, and that is what is attractive for an American president who knows how to get a good deal,” Lammy said last week.
