Keir Starmer said he did not discuss with Donald Trump his dissatisfaction with the US president's influence on energy tariffs in the UK, focusing instead on security issues in the Gulf region.
Starmer and Trump's conversation: focus on security
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer held a telephone conversation with the US President Donald Trump last night. Starmer noted that the conversation focused on the need to develop a «practical plan» to open the Strait of Hormuz.
He stressed that Gulf leaders insist on being involved in planning the region's future if the ceasefire is to be maintained.
The issue of energy was left out of the conversation
Starmer made it clear that he did not take the opportunity to personally express his dissatisfaction with the US president's influence on energy tariffs in the UK to Trump.
He noted that most of the time during the call was devoted to practical issues related to the security of the strait. During the interview Robert Peston Starmer did not comment on whether he raised the issue of rising energy prices in his conversation with Trump.
The importance of alliance with the Gulf states
During his visit to Qatar, Starmer noted that the Gulf states highly value their partnership with the UK. He mentioned the joint squadron in Qatar as an example of «true alliance».
Starmer stressed the importance of supporting allies in the region, especially in the context of joint self-defence over the past six to seven weeks.
Position on NATO and defence spending
Starmer reiterated that NATO's European members should increase defence spending. He noted that he has been stressing this point all along, especially against the backdrop of Trump's statements about a possible US withdrawal from the Alliance. When asked if these threats were discussed during the call, Starmer did not answer directly, but stressed that Europe should do more for NATO.
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