Donald Trump tells Keir Starmer ‘you have a friend in me’ during phone call with PM after stunning election victory
DONALD Trump told Sir Keir Starmer “you have a friend" here when the pair spoke after his election this week, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
The newly-elected US President also spoke about his love for the UK and said he is a “huge admirer” of the Royal family.
His warm words will fuel hopes that Britain can avoid crippling American tariffs and do our own trade deal with the US.
It comes as Nigel Farage said Brexit means Britain can avoid America’s “punch up” with the EU over trade and do our own deal.
The British PM spoke with the US President on the phone on Wednesday - just hours after the landslide election victory.
During the call, Mr Trump told the PM he had “a friend” here.
He also asked Sir Keir to pass on his best wishes to King Charles, saying he was a “huge admirer” of The Royal Family.
Mr Trump spoke about his love for the UK and Scotland. His beloved mother Mary grew up on the Hebridean island of Lewis, and Mr Trump has a golf course near Aberdeen.
The Labour government has had a tricky relationship with Team Trump in the past.
About half the Cabinet - including Foreign Secretary David Lammy - have publicly slagged off The Don when he was last President.
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And Labour sparked a diplomatic storm when it emerged they had sent 100 activists to campaign for Trump’s rival Kamala Harris.
No10 have publicly played down talk of a rift. They have launched a US charm offensive - and are expected to deploy the Royal family to help.
This could include inviting Mr Trump for a full-blown bells and whistles state visit next year.
Meanwhile, the world is anxiously waiting to see if the new US President will launch a massive trade war when he moves into the White House in January next year.
The US President scored a thumping victory on a promise to slap 10 per cent tariffs on all imports to America.
But Mr Farage said Britain can avoid the crippling trade war if we stop cosying up to the EU and roll out the red carpet for Mr Trump.
Speaking exclusively to the Sun on Sunday, he said: “Thank God for Brexit.
“There’s going to be the biggest punch up between the EU and America that’s ever been seen.
“We - thanks to Brexit - have our own trade policy. Hallelujah. We have a pro-British US president who even before his first inauguration was positive about having a good trade relationship with the UK.
“The opportunity is there. We have to roll out the red carpet and mend fences given that almost the entire Cabinet has been abusive about him.”
He said Sir Keir Starmer must not “listen to the siren voice of Brussels” and instead hug America close.
Nigel also dismissed talk that Mr Trump will intervene to kick Prince Harry out of America.
“I suspect they’ll just let it lie and think they have more important things to do”, he said.
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“He [Mr Trump] just thought the Queen was the most amazing person…Equally with Charles, they may not agree on some things but he really likes Charles so I can see a state visit coming next year.
“In the middle of that to boot Harry out of America - I can’t see it.”
Addressing a conference of cheering supporters in Exeter yesterday Nigel also predicted he would do a Trump and win the next UK election."
