UK politics: Trump suggests Starmer use army to tackle migration and says Putin ‘really let me down’
Former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could use the military to help tackle illegal migration. The comments came during a joint press conference at Chequers, following Trump’s second state visit to the UK.
Trump said he had spoken with Starmer about border challenges, drawing parallels between migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats and the U.S. southern border.
“I told the prime minister I would stop it, and it doesn’t matter if you call out the military,” Trump said, stressing the need for strong measures.
What Trump and Starmer Discussed
- Immigration: Trump urged Starmer to take a tougher stance, calling illegal immigration a threat that “destroys countries from within.”
- Palestinian statehood: The two leaders disagreed, with Starmer planning to recognize Palestine at the UN while Trump strongly opposed the move.
- Ukraine war: Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged allies to cut Russian oil purchases to pressure Moscow.
- Technology & trade: A new UK-US tech deal was signed to boost cooperation in AI, quantum computing, and other emerging fields. Trump said it would help both countries “dominate” in artificial intelligence.
Starmer’s Position on Migration
The prime minister emphasized that his government is already acting against illegal migration. He highlighted new returns deals with France and the recent “one in, one out” deportation of a migrant as a sign of progress. Still, Starmer admitted, “there’s no silver bullet here.”
So far in 2025, more than 30,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats — the highest number ever recorded this early in the year.
A Visit of Pageantry and Politics
During the two-day visit, Trump and First Lady Melania were hosted at Windsor Castle by King Charles and attended a lavish state banquet. The trip ended with the Chequers press conference before the Trumps departed from Stansted Airport.
Despite the ceremony, U.S. officials made clear that the UK’s influence on American trade or foreign policy remains limited. Still, both leaders stressed the importance of the “special relationship” between their countries.
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