US President Donald Trump (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump declared that the UK and the US will strike a free trade deal “very quickly”.
The US President was speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sir at the White House.
Mr Trump said: “We’re going to have a great trade agreement, one way or another.
“We’re going to end up with a very good trade agreement for both countries and we are working on that as we speak.”
He added: “I think we’ll have something, maybe in terms of possibilities, agreed very shortly.
“We’ll see if we can do something pretty quickly. But we’re going to make some great trade agreements with the UK and with the Prime Minister, and it’ll happen very quickly.”
A free trade pact between Britain and the US had been touted as a major post- prize but talks were put on ice under Mr Trump’s predecessor .
Meanwhile, Sir Keir said the US and UK will begin work on a new economic deal.
Speaking of the two countries’ shared hopes for artificial intelligence, the Prime Minister said: “Instead of over-regulating these new technologies, we’re seizing the opportunities that they offer.”
He added: “We’ve decided today to go further to begin work on a new economic deal with advanced technology at its core.
“Look, our two nations together shaped the great technological innovations of the last century. We have a chance now to do the same for the 21st century.
“I mean, artificial intelligence could cure cancer. That could be a moonshot for our age, and that’s how we’ll keep delivering for our people.”
Opening the press conference in the East Room, Mr Trump described Sir Keir as a “tough negotiator” following talks between the pair.
The US President said: “Today it’s my privilege to welcome the Prime Minister of a very special place, the United Kingdom, to the White House.
“Prime Minister Starmer, you’ve been terrific in our discussions. You’re a very tough negotiator, however, I’m not sure I like that, but that’s okay.”
He added: “The Prime Minister and I have gotten off to an outstanding start. The US and UK have a special relationship, very special, really, like no other passed down through the centuries, and we’re going to keep it that way.”
Former prime minister Winston Churchill’s bust has been returned the Oval Office, the US President added.