British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House, seeking to address ongoing tensions over Ukraine and bilateral trade ties. The meeting comes as Trump has threatened tariffs on Europe, demanding that the continent rely less on US security.
Starmer has announced a significant increase in the UK’s defense budget to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, ahead of the expected US demand for NATO members to boost defense spending to 5%. The move is seen as an effort to appease Trump and secure favorable trade terms.
The UK’s decision to ramp up defense spending has been met with skepticism from some experts, who argue that it may lead to a shift in the burden of security responsibility. However, Starmer maintains that Europe must be part of any discussions on Ukraine, citing the need for strategic responsibility and reflection.
The meeting also comes as Trump signals Ukraine should “forget about” NATO membership, pushing for Kyiv to negotiate a deal allowing US access to rare earth minerals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet Trump at the White House on Friday.
As tensions rise, Starmer faces a delicate balance between appeasing the unpredictable Trump administration and maintaining strong ties with European allies. With potential US tariffs looming, the UK’s trade and investment prospects are under scrutiny.
Source: https://www.voanews.com/a/british-pm-starmer-to-meet-trump-at-the-white-house/7989786.html