Starmer issues defiant response to Trump after president’s new threats

WorldPolitics
15 Apr 2026 • 10:15 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Starmer issues defiant response to Trump after president’s new threats

  • Keir Starmer has vowed not to back down on his stance regarding the Iran war, despite threats from Donald Trump to alter the UK-US trade deal.
  • Donald Trump criticised the UK's refusal to join the Iran conflict, stating the trade agreement 'can always be changed' and describing the 'special relationship' as 'sad'.
  • Trump also attacked the UK's energy policies, calling the decision on North Sea oil 'tragic', and labelled the country's immigration policies 'insane'.
  • Sir Keir reiterated to MPs that joining the Iran war is 'not in our national interest' and that he would not yield to pressure from the White House.
  • These tensions arise just over a week before King Charles and Queen Camilla's four-day visit to the US, though Trump stated his relationship with Sir Keir would not overshadow the royal trip.

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