US leader Donald Trump has lambasted his relationship with the UK and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying he is “very sad” to see the historic partnership is “obviously not what it was” anymore.
PM Starmer granted permission on Sunday for the US to use UK bases to target Iran’s missile launchers and stores to help protect countries targeted by Tehran after days of thinking on the decision.
But the US president said he was “very disappointed” with Sir Keir over his initial refusal to allow the US to use the UK-US Diego Garcia base on the Chagos Islands as part of the operation.
He added that it “took far too long” for the prime minister to change his mind.
Hitting out at Sir Keir directly, the US president said: “He has not been helpful. I never thought I’d see that. I never thought I’d see that from the UK. We love the UK.”
It is the latest of the nation’s butting heads after previous rows over Greenland and the UK’s handing back the Chagos Islands.
But speaking to The Sun about the special relationship, Mr Trump said: “It’s a different world, actually. It’s just a much different kind of relationship that we’ve had with your country before.”
He added: “It’s very sad to see that the relationship is obviously not what it was.”
Asked whether the UK is needed as an ally for its action in the Middle East, he said: “It’s not going to matter, but [Sir Keir Starmer] should have helped… he should have.
“I mean, France has been great. They’ve all been great. The UK has been much different from others.”
Here is all we know about the partnership between the two nations:
What is the relationship between Donald Trump and Keir Starmer?
The relationship between Sir Keir and Mr Trump is unusually complex for two leaders with very different political styles and priorities.
While they maintain diplomatic contact and share interests on some global issues, sharp disagreements over international norms and strategic priorities have emerged.
The two men have already met several times since Trump returned to the White House.
In an interview with the BBC in January 2025, Mr Trump praised the prime minister's leadership, saying he was a “very good guy”.
He added: “I may not agree with his philosophy, but I have a very good relationship with him.”
Following his conversation with Mr Trump, Sir Keir posted on X, saying, “I spoke with @POTUS today and congratulated him on his inauguration.
“I thanked him for his kind words on the loss of my brother. We discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East, for trade and economic growth. I look forward to meeting soon to strengthen the close ties between our countries.”
I spoke with @POTUS today and congratulated him on his inauguration.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 26, 2025
I thanked him for his kind words on the loss of my brother.
We discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East, for trade and economic growth.
I look forward to meeting soon to…
A few days prior to Mr Trump’s inauguration, Sir Keir told the Financial Times that Mr Trump “came to New York to have dinner with me and I was very grateful for that”.
“Our ambition is to have a deal of some sorts with the US, a trade deal. That’s where our focus is,” adding that the “US is our closest ally”.
Over a phone conversation around the same time Sir Keir also praised the president for his “role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza”.
Hours before their discussion, Mr Trump had applauded Sir Keir for his “very good job thus far” and shared that the pair had a “very good relationship”.
Their diplomatic engagement has been shaped further by co-operation on issues such as Ukraine and broader security.
Sir Keir has previously travelled to Washington to discuss support for Ukraine’s defence and trade relations, taking part in talks on international security frameworks while insisting that Mr Trump and Europe “want the same thing.”
Yet, despite this collaboration, underlying policy differences continue to influence their interactions.
Greenland: A major point of contention
While their relationship at the start of Mr Trump’s second term began on a positive note, one of the most significant recent disagreements between the two leaders centres on Greenland.
Mr Trump has publicly suggested that the United States should seek control over the strategically positioned Arctic island, arguing it is vital for US national security, assertions that have alarmed Nato allies.
Sir Keir has firmly rejected these claims, stating that “Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark must decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.”
His stance puts him in alignment with European allies who view Greenland’s sovereignty as non‑negotiable and a matter for its people and Denmark alone.
Venezuela and international law
Relations have also been tested by the US intervention in Venezuela.
Mr Trump’s administration conducted military operations in Caracas and detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a move that raised questions over international law and sovereign integrity.
Sir Keir has stopped short of calling it a violation of international law, instead saying more information is needed and emphasising the need to “establish the facts” before outright condemnation.
This cautious approach reflects Sir Keir’s attempt to balance alliance obligations with concerns about legality and international norms, even when US actions provoke international criticism.
The Iran situation
The UK took their time in allowing the US access to its military bases. But chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones said Trump’s recent remarks do not “negate the fact that we make decisions on the basis of legality and British interest”.
The cabinet minister told Sky News: “Well, I’ve seen the president’s words, but that doesn’t really negate the fact that we make decisions, as I say, on the basis of legality and British interest.
“We were content to offer bases at Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford, because evidently, the operations the Americans will run from those airfields will reduce the risk to British citizens and British assets in the region and that’s why we agreed to the request to use those bases on that basis alone.
“But the prime minister is very clear that we were not involved in that first strike and we’re not kind of going to war with Iran or getting involved in a wider set of activities.”
Asked whether the UK’s assessment was that there was not a legal basis for the initial military action over the weekend, Mr Jones said: “We were not involved in the first wave because it didn’t meet the test the prime minister set out.”
Giving a statement to MPs in the Commons on Monday, Sir Keir said: “President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest. That is what I’ve done, and I stand by it.”
