LONDON, Sept 19: US President Donald Trump suggested Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could deploy the military to curb illegal migration during a joint press conference wrapping up Trump’s second state visit to Britain, the BBC reported.
Speaking after talks at Chequers, Trump said the UK faced a similar challenge to the US with migrants crossing the Channel in small boats. “You have people coming in, and I told the prime minister I would stop it, and it doesn’t matter if you call out the military,” Trump said. In a later Fox News interview, he urged Starmer to take a “strong stand,” claiming migration was hurting him “badly,” according to the BBC.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has ramped up deportations and sent troops to assist border operations. Arrests at the southern US border have dropped as a result, he said.
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Starmer responded that his government was “taking this incredibly seriously,” highlighting recent migrant returns deals with France and the first removals under the “one in, one out” scheme. He warned there was “no silver bullet” to stop crossings, which have already topped 30,000 this year – the fastest rise since records began in 2018, the BBC stated.
Migration was one of several issues on the agenda during Trump’s two-day trip, which mixed royal pageantry with political talks. The president was hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle and attended a state banquet before formal meetings with Starmer, the BBC said.
The two leaders touted the “special relationship” and signed a tech prosperity deal focused on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other emerging fields. Trump said the agreement would help the allies “dominate” in AI. But White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles told the BBC the visit would not shift US policy on trade or foreign affairs. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said investment could have been far larger if the UK scrapped measures such as the digital services tax.
Trump and Starmer sidestepped some contentious issues, including free speech controversies and last week’s dismissal of Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump said he did not know Mandelson and passed the question to Starmer, who confirmed the sacking, added the BBC
One area of disagreement came on Palestinian statehood. Starmer said the UK planned to recognise Palestine before next week’s UN General Assembly. Trump opposed the move, accusing Hamas of using hostages as “bait,” according to the BBC.
The war in Ukraine also featured, with Trump expressing disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin for failing to pursue peace. He urged Western allies to halt Russian oil purchases but stopped short of announcing new sanctions.
The visit concluded with Trump and First Lady Melania departing Stansted Airport aboard Air Force One, leaving behind a message of unity with London on migration and security, the BBC said.
