Labour’s past attacks on Trump won’t harm relations, says minister

Sir Keir met Trump and Lammy for dinner during the presidential campaign and the foreign secretary has sought to cultivate close ties to Vance and other senior Republicans.

Starmer and Trump spoke on the phone after the US election result, with Downing Street telling reporters they “fondly recalled” their dinner in September, as well as Trump’s “connections and affinity” to the UK.

Kemi Badenoch sought to capitalise on the awkwardness of Lammy’s previous criticism of Trump at her first appearance as Conservative leader at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, urging Sir Keir to apologise.

Trump’s return to the White House has also posed a number of policy headaches for the UK government.

These include Ukraine, where the former president has criticised the scale of US support for its efforts to repel Russia’s invasion and suggested he wants to see a deal to end the conflict “within 24 hours” when he takes office in January.

Trump also vowed during the election campaign to impose new taxes, or tariffs, of 10%-20% on most foreign goods imported into the US.

Such a move could hit billions of pounds’ worth in British exports, including Scotch whisky, pharmaceutical products, and airplane parts.

McFadden said “we don’t want a trade war for that reason” – but suggested it would be worth waiting to see if the threatened tariffs come to pass.

“The thing I would advise is, look at what President Trump does, and not just what is said in the heat of the campaign, ” he added.