Keir Starmer has been warned that his tanking reputation in Washington could put Britain’s hope of securing a trade deal at risk, but many believe the UK can still secure one.
Ever since the Brexit referendum campaign in 2016, a trade deal with the United States has remained highly sought after by governments of all colours, yet has remained illusive.
While Donald Trump was highly supportive during his first term as a vocal supporter of Britain’s decision to leave the EU, Covid scuppered Boris Johnson’s chances of getting it over the line.
The return of Mr Trump, who many say could also exclude Britain from his forthcoming trade tariff war because of his innate love of the UK and its royal family, once again raises hopes of a major free trade agreement.
However experts in Washington DC have told the Daily Express it is up to Keir Starmer to mend his reputation among the President-Elect’s inner circle after a bruising month of rows spearheaded by Elon Musk.
Speaking from the Heritage Foundation’s offices next to the US Capitol, commentator and expert Nile Gardiner also warned that Sir Keir’s desperate attempts to hand the Chagos Islands over to Chinese ally Mauritius have also “soured” the Special Relationship, and risks doing damage to Britain’s trade prospects.
Mr Gardiner said he remains hopeful that a trade deal can be done, and revealed there is “a lot of enthusiasm” among conservatives in the United States, including Donald Trump.
However he said that Labour’s attitude in Britain for Brexit has been “lukewarm”, and it may be up to the next Prime Minister to finally secure a deal.
He told this paper: “A trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom would be absolutely fantastic for both of our economies. It would be a win-win. And I do think there’s a lot of support for a trade deal here in Washington right now and President Trump has been very strongly supportive of the idea in the past.”
“A lot will depend upon how the British government moves forward, and we’ll have to see whether or not Keir Starmer really dedicates a lot of effort into putting a trade deal in place.”
“It would certainly be more beneficial to us than some of the threats of tariffs that we’ve seen directed at other allies, both here on the North American continent and and in Europe, and of course, China.”
Republican commentator and former aide to President Ronald Regan Peggy Grande agreed, arguing that President Trump’s love of the royal family is proof that he has a genuine fondness for the UK.
Ms Grande insisted that the Special Relationship remains meaningful to the 47th President, adding: “If there is something to be done, I would think that he would go back to the negotiating table right away”.
She also pointed out that Mr Trump’s pick for the next US Ambassador to Britain is a good friend of his, claiming it reveals the UK-US relationship “is a priority to him”.
However former US Representative John LeBoutillier warned that Mr Trump and those around him are becoming increasingly anti-Labour and anti-Starmer, partly as a result of Elon Musk.
While he said a trade deal is “conceivable”, once again citing his friendly meeting with Prince William at the re-opening of Notre Dame, he suggested the key for Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy is learning to “flatter” Mr Trump.
Mr LeBoutillier warned: “Don’t p*** him off. Tell him ‘you’re a genius, you’re so good looking, you’re great’, just pump him up then in private say ‘we can’t do that, we can compromise on this’ and he probably goes along with it.”
However in a glimmer of hope for UK-US relations, the former New York parliamentarian said he gives the Trump-Musk relationship just six months before the pair have a major falling out.
He argued that Mr Musk is “getting too much attention, he’s got too big for his britches”.
“At some point he and Trump are going to clash, and Trump’s going to win. At least in the immediate term because he is the President.”