A cordial news conference, but no fireworkspublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time
21:50 GMT
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House
Image source, Getty ImagesThe joint news conference between Starmer and Trump ended a short while ago, with little in the way of fireworks between the two.
It had a much more diplomatic and matter-of-fact tone than this morning’s session in the Oval Office, with both leaders standing at
their respective lecterns and going to considerable lengths to lavish praise on
the other, despite their political differences.
Trump, for example, praised Starmer’s negotiation
skills – which he said he doesn’t like – and his accent, jokingly saying that
he’d have been president 20 years ago if he’d had the same.
At one point, Starmer was asked about Trump’s controversial
call to make Canada – a member of the Commonwealth – the 51st state
of the US.
“I think you’re trying to find a divide that doesn’t exist,”
Starmer replied.
Trump interjected quickly with the words “that’s enough”
before moving on – again taking control of the room.
While the comment was directed at a journalist from the Independent, the look of surprise was clearly visible on Starmer’s face.