US President Donald Trump has commended UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for his leadership, praising his efforts thus far and revealing that the two share a “very good relationship.”

Speaking to the BBC on Air Force One, Trump said he gets along well with Starmer, despite their philosophical differences.

“I like him a lot. I think he’s done a very good job thus far. He’s represented his country well in terms of philosophy,” Trump said. He added, “I may not agree with his philosophy, but I have a very good relationship with him.” The president also confirmed that the pair would have a phone call within the next 24 hours.

Trump and Starmer have met several times, including during a visit by the Labour leader to Trump Tower in New York during the US presidential campaign. Their relationship has been generally cordial, with both leaders agreeing on the importance of a strong UK-US relationship. When asked about their relationship, Trump said, “I get along with him well.”

Despite Trump’s praise, Starmer faces significant criticism from some quarters in the US. Notably, tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk has repeatedly attacked Starmer, calling for his removal from office. Musk has voiced strong disapproval of Starmer’s leadership, particularly in relation to the grooming gangs scandal, and made several disparaging remarks on his social media platform X.

In contrast, Trump’s comments appear to reflect a more diplomatic approach, with the president noting that while their political views differ, their personal rapport remains strong. “He’s liberal, which is a bit different from me,” Trump acknowledged, but emphasized that personal ties are more important than policy differences.

The timing of Trump’s remarks comes as diplomatic relations between the UK and US continue to develop, particularly after Trump’s re-election. Following the election, Starmer and Trump had a phone conversation, with Downing Street stating that both leaders agreed the UK-US relationship was “incredibly strong” and would “continue to thrive.”

Looking ahead, Starmer is expected to visit Washington in the coming weeks for talks with Trump. Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that this visit is likely to focus on key issues such as trade, Ukraine, and potential US-UK agreements, including the status of the Chagos Islands, a matter that remains unresolved.

Trump’s international priorities may also influence UK-US relations. When asked about his first international trip of his second term, the president mentioned Saudi Arabia and the UK as potential destinations, citing a previous agreement with Saudi Arabia to purchase $450 billion of US goods.

However, several challenges loom for both governments, particularly in the context of trade tariffs and ongoing debates about the future of the UK’s military base on the Chagos Islands. Additionally, Trump’s stance on the nomination of Lord Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington remains unclear. Trump campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita recently criticized Mandelson as “an absolute moron,” raising questions about the approval of the appointment.

In the midst of this diplomatic environment, Starmer has continued to defend his record, particularly regarding the grooming gangs scandal. He has accused his critics of spreading “lies and misinformation” and emphasised his proactive approach in handling prosecutions during his tenure as director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013.

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