A triumphant Keir Starmer arrived back in the UK today (Friday) after cementing an unlikely bromance with and securing a potential mega-bucks trade deal with the USA.
The Prime Minister was all smiles as he jetted home after a whirlwind but bounty-laden trip to Washington DC.
Stuffed in his back pocket was the prospect of economy-boosting trade ties with America and a clear signal from the US President that he’s unlikely to target Britain with hefty tariffs.
That’s not to mention clear progress on securing a “long lasting” peace deal for after trying to persuade Mr Trump that the US must support British and European troops in the war-ravaged country.
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Keir Starmer and Donald Trump (Image: Getty)
In a trip that had so much potential to go wrong for Sir Keir, so much went right.
He had a big win on tariffs, a big win on a trade deal and a big win on his controversial Chagos Islands deal after the Republican strongman gave it the green light.
Not to mention the US President accepting an invitation from King Charles for an “unprecedented” second state visit to the UK.
And then there was the love-in between two politicians who come from two completely different political backgrounds.
There were smiles, handshakes, shoulder pates, jokes and smiles as the leaders first met outside the West Wing before amping up their bromance in the Oval Office and then the White House East Room.
Sir Keir also appealed to ’s love of golf and Scottish heritage in a series of personal gifts to the US President.
In a sign of their flourishing friendship the Prime Minister gave Mr Trump a golf cap in his family’s Macleod tartan as a present during his visit to the White.
The PM also gifted the Republican a set of Downing Street golf balls and Downing Street crystal glasses.
The First Lady, , was given a scarf from Liberty, a book on Chequers and a No 10 candle.
There’s still more work to do on .
Ukrainian President is due at the White House on Friday where he and Mr Trump could sign a deal on ‘s valuable rare minerals.
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Donald Trump on the golf course (Image: Getty)
The PM’s visit to Washington DC is part of a frantic European effort to persuade Mr Trump not to abandon and European allies.
The diplomatic push began with Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the White House on Monday.
All three leaders are expected to review progress at an emergency summit on European security in London on Sunday.
Rewind 24 hours and the mood was very different.
Despite being buoyed by announcing a massive boost to the defence budget on Tuesday, it was a somewhat nervy and guarded Prime Minister who flew out to the US capital.
As he came to speak to journalists at the back of the government plane, it was clear that Starmer knew what was at stake.
Clad in a dark suit, the PM batted away a barrage of questions about the upcoming talks – conscious that a stray comment could enrage the notoriously thin skinned Trump.
Mr Starmer seemed calm but steely and didn’t stick around for further chat as he went back to the front of the plane, where his top officials were gathered to continue their prep for the visit.
That was in stark contrast to the relaxed and smiling premier on the flight back to the country that his new best friend had described as “wonderful”.