A breakdown in the political relationship between the US and Britain will not have an impact on the King’s upcoming state visit to America, Donald Trump has insisted.
The US president hit out at Sir Keir Starmer for making “tragic” mistakes on winding down drilling in the North Sea and on migration, and suggested the terms of the UK-US trade deal brokered last year could be changed, in an interview with Sky News.
Charles and Camilla’s four-day trip to the US at the end of the month comes amid a worsening transatlantic relationship, after verbal attacks by President Trump on Sir Keir and other Nato allies for not joining his war in Iran.
The historic visit between April 27 and 30 – the King’s first visit to the US as monarch – will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and herald the start of celebrations across the US.
Speaking to Sky News only hours after Buckingham Palace released details of the King’s US itinerary, Mr Trump described Charles as a “great gentleman”.
“I’ve known him for a long time. He’s wonderful, wonderful person,” the US president added, according to the broadcaster.
Mr Trump insisted his strained relationship with Sir Keir would “not at all” overshadow the royal visit.
He then began to criticise Sir Keir, telling the broadcaster that while he liked the Prime Minister, he had made a “tragic mistake in closing the North Sea oil”, as well as “a tragic mistake on immigration”.
Asked for his thoughts on the special relationship, Mr Trump replied: “With who?”
Sky then clarified they meant with the UK, to which the president reiterated his disappointment that Britain and other Nato allies had not joined the war with Iran “when we needed them”.
He then said that America had given the UK “a good trade deal, better than I had to”.
In what appeared to be a threat to the agreement with Britain, Mr Trump suggested the deal “can always be changed”.
He also told Sky News an agreement to end the war with Iran is “very possible”.
The president has reportedly said talks to end the conflict could resume in the next “two days”.
American vice-president JD Vance took part in negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, over the weekend aimed at ending the war, which concluded without any major breakthrough.
