Storm ahead
There is still time for Starmer to become either of them.
He left the White House under dark clouds — literally — and unanswered questions. Aides later clarified that despite Trump speaking of a trade deal, they were not prioritizing a full-fat free-trade agreement, long coveted in London after Brexit.
Starmer, on the flight to Washington, warned Russian President Vladimir Putin could “come again” for Ukraine if there is an insufficient backstop. When he met Trump, the president said the exact opposite.
Starmer also nudged back at Trump’s suggestion that by striking a minerals deal with Ukraine, he was — by default — providing a security guarantee for European peacekeeping troops in future. Starmer had been pushing for U.S. aerial intelligence, and air cover should Russia attack.
In an interview with NBC after his White House visit, Starmer said he could “see the value” in Trump’s approach to minerals — but it would form merely “at least one element of any security guarantee.” At talks with European leaders on Sunday, he will want more.
All this is linked to the fundamental question of a United States that is moving its eye away from Europe, regardless of how friendly Trump decides to be.
John Spellar, a Labour peer and former defense minister under Tony Blair, said the U.S. has said “for ages” that its focus is moving away and “Europe has unfortunately not taken this seriously.” He added: “The U.S., as it shifts its focus to the Pacific, has made clear it cannot be Europe’s first responder. And by the way, this would be inevitable under an administration from either party.”
Starmer will be celebrating this meeting as a successful one. But as they say; you’re only as good as your last meeting.
