A not-so-special relationship? The seven main challenges Starmer faces against Donald Trump

Despite the so-called “special relationship,” the British prime minister will clearly struggle to form a productive relationship with the new president, but he has no choice but to do so.

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Today's newspapers are full of information about the difficulties ahead. The Mail on Sunday claims that Sir Keir Starmer would be “at the back of the queue” for a visit to the White House (unlike Theresa May's very embarrassing appearance after just seven days), saying “he will have to eat a humble pie.” before receiving an invitation.

According to The Independent, Trump campaign sources suggest the president-elect is considering rejecting Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, a near-unprecedented move that would constitute a huge diplomatic insult.

Labor figures have done their best to play down the reports, with Treasury chief secretary Darren Jones telling Sky News: “I really doubt that's going to happen,” adding that the claims are “probably propagated by some politicians who would like this to happen.” to cause a little nuisance.

World leaders such as Italy's Georgia Meloni and Argentina's Javier Milei, more closely aligned with Trump's populist policies, were invited to the inauguration.

Starmer was not, although Number 10 says the UK should be represented by outgoing ambassador Dame Karen Pierce, in line with usual diplomatic protocol.

But with a host of high-profile right-wing British politicians partying in Washington – including Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Suella Braverman, Priti Patel and, of course, Nigel Farage – all in attendance – he risks looking a little left out . .

So, what are the main stumbling blocks between the two leaders?

Labor support for Democrats

One of the problems is the Trump team's anger at Labor activists travel to America campaigning for Trump's Democratic rival, Kamala Harris.

Historically, it has been relatively normal for labor volunteers to help Democrats, and for conservatives to do so for Republicans. But this time it struck a nerve, resulting in a complaint to the US Federal Election Commission.

The impression of entrenched opposition to the Trump plan from the Labor hierarchy was underlined once again this morning by an article in The Observer by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, warning of “the specter of a resurgence of fascism” before the inauguration.

Although Mr Jones was quick to distance himself and the government from this kind of language, it is reminiscent of the series of insults leveled at Trump by senior Labor figures during their time in opposition, from David's party Lammy. “sociopath who hates women and sympathizes with neo-Nazis” to Wes Streeting’s “odious, sad little man.”

The reality of life in government has tempered the cabinet's public language — but the broader party's opinion of Trump will likely remain unchanged.

Nigel Farage

As Reform gains popularity and challenges both the Conservatives and Labor in the polls, Britain's Reform leader, Nigel Farage, is having a field day in Washington DC.

In interviews with British media at a pre-inauguration party on a hotel rooftop, he bragged about having members of the new Trump cabinet on speed dial, and even speculated that he might himself become Prime Minister before the end of Donald Trump's term. END.

Farage offers to help improve the British government's relationship with Trump and his team – but accepting his offer will surely be too awkward.

Elon Musk

Fury over the UK's response to grooming gangs may have calmed somewhat after the Home Office's announcement regarding five local investigations and a national review on the issue, but the world's richest man misses no opportunity to kick the British government on X, his social media platform.

Elon Musk he may have fallen in love with Mr Farage on his lack of support for Tommy Robinson but he still seems obsessed with promoting reform and making incendiary attacks on Sir Keir Starmer and other members of his team.

As a member of Trump's cabinet, Musk's claims about free speech and child sexual exploitation in the UK could pose a real problem for the Labor leader in terms of his reputation with the president-elect.

The Chagos Agreement

Team Trump is also frustrated by the UK's last-ditch effort to push through the controversial Chagos Agreement before the inauguration.

The agreement would see the UK cedes isolated archipelago to Mauritius – in accordance with international court rulings – but pay to continue leasing the US-British Diego Garcia military base for the next 99 years.

Americans, as well as many conservatives, are concerned about the national security implications of this deal. This week, Downing Street said it was only “reasonable” for Mr Trump to want to review the deal once he takes office, but the delay has created a delicate and unresolved diplomatic and political issue.

Defense spending

Defense spending – and the question of ending the war in Ukraine – is another likely source of tension.

Mr. Trump has made no secret of his frustration that the United States spends far more on defense than most NATO countries, calling for a new target of 5% of GDP.

At 2.3%, the UK is well above the current NATO target of 2% and the Prime Minister has committed to charting a path to 2.5% this year – but given current spending constraints and concerns about future cuts, that seems a long way off.

Trump also expressed hesitation about Ukraine joining NATO, saying he “understands their [Russia’s] feelings” of having “someone at your door”.

Mr Trump's determination to end the war with Russia quickly has already shifted international attention from the supply of arms to the question of a possible peacekeeping operation – Sir Keir Starmer speaking from the Kingdom -United playing a “full party” role in the future.

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Reengagement with China

President-elect Trump has made it clear that China is now America's biggest rival. threatens to impose tariffs on imports of the country once he takes office.

This is a message clearly at odds with the Labor government's policy of “re-engagement” with China in the pursuit of economic growth.

Last week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves traveled to Beijing in what she described as a spirit of “pragmatic cooperation”, praising British businesses and thus boasting 600 million new investment in the UK.

But in what appears to be a hasty turnaround, Lord Mandelson – previously a strong supporter of closer trade ties with Beijing – wrote an article this week criticizing China for being “more aggressive abroad and more controlling at home” and challenging “Western governments and their values”.

Commercial policy

During his election campaign, Donald Trump threatened to impose a 20% cut on all other goods entering the country.

As the UK economy stagnates, this could have a disastrous impact on UK businesses.

Ministers hope this special relationship could protect Britain from the worst direct impacts, although our global exposure means we would also be hit by tariffs disrupting international trade elsewhere.

With a manifesto promise to “reset” the UK's relationship with Europe, Starmer may choose to offset the risks of a blow to our transatlantic trade with a greater emphasis on the flow of goods across the Channel .

The Liberal Democrats this week called for a new customs union with the EU, as a show of force against the United States. But this kind of talk could risk further antagonizing Trump's team.

Mr Jones did his best to allay those economic fears, telling Trevor Phillips “we have a plan” for pricing but “I don’t think we’re going to find ourselves in that scenario.”

Mr Jones' upbeat tone this morning is an attempt to demonstrate that, whatever the unpredictability of the Trump administration, it is basically business as usual for the British government and its special relationships. Keep calm and carry on, he almost said.

Asked about their stance on Mr Trump, Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Lammy repeatedly return to the dinner they had with him in New York in September as a demonstration of their “good relations”.

But the bonhomie of an evening and a few diplomatic phone calls will seem increasingly thin as other world leaders line up to shake the president's hand in the Oval Office, and behind the scenes, British officials will endeavor to bring the Prime Minister to Washington. as quickly as possible.