"Serious, calm, pragmatic, behind-the-scenes diplomacy is how No 10 has been describing Keir Starmer's approach to the chaotic world of Donald Trump's administration. That may have been how the week started and tiptoeing around Trump's volatility has been the hallmark of Starmer's relationship with the president for a whole year. However, the president's two major digs at Britain first over Chagos and, more seriously, his claim that UK troops did not pull their weight in Afghanistan have finally provoked Starmer into a furious rebuttal."
"Starmer's demand for an apology over the insulting and frankly appalling words from the unrepentant Trump marks the worst week for US-UK relations since the president took over last year. With characteristic understatement, the prime minister revealed that he had been getting a bit exasperated with Trump's remarks about the UK and appeared ready at last to draw a line in the sand about what is unacceptable to say about an ally."
Keir Starmer demanded an apology from Donald Trump after two major digs at Britain, including a claim that UK troops did not pull their weight in Afghanistan. The demand marked the worst week for US-UK relations since Trump took office and raised tensions between the allies. Starmer said he had become exasperated and appeared ready to draw a line about what is unacceptable to say about an ally. Many Labour MPs welcomed the rebuttal as a correction to perceived sycophancy and as helpful to his standing with the British public and parts of his party. The stance carries diplomatic risks given Trump's volatility but mirrors calls by other middle-ranking countries to stand together.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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