Unbelievably, Keir Starmer arrives back from Washington today after a successful meeting with Donald Trump. In fact, it’s hard to see how it could have gone much better. Top of the list of victories: it looks like some headway was made in avoiding tariffs on the UK and, on Ukraine, the pair discussed the prime minister’s call for a security backstop for any deal. Starmer described that part of the talks as ‘productive’ and said that a ‘deal has to come first’. There will also be a second state visit for the President. 

The greatest victory however is winning personal and effusive praise from the President. The Spectator’s sister magazine in the US was the first to get Trump’s reaction. The president told editor-at-large Ben Domenech: ‘I thought he was very good. I met him twice before – you know, he came to see me twice before – but this time was the best. And I think we got along very well.’ How did he do it? Is this the start of a new bromance?

Katy Balls discusses with Freddy Gray and Kate Andrews.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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