Read the full transcript of the joint press conference held by President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House on Feb 27, 2025. The leaders delivered remarks and then took questions from reporters.
Listen to the audio version here:
TRANSCRIPT:
Opening Remarks
DONALD TRUMP: Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Great honor. Today, it’s my privilege to welcome the Prime Minister of a very special place, the United Kingdom, to the White House. Prime Minister Starmer, you’ve been terrific in our discussions. You’re a very tough negotiator, however. I’m not sure I like that, but that’s okay. Very, very special person.
The Prime Minister and I have gotten off to an outstanding start. The U.S. and U.K. have a special relationship, very special, really like no other passed down through the centuries. And we’re going to keep it that way. We’re going to keep it very strong, as it is.
Very importantly, I was just notified by letter from King Charles that he’s extended, through the Prime Minister, a historic second state visit to the United Kingdom. And that’s a great honor, because it’s never happened before. One person has never been extended that honor, and I really do call it an honor. But it’s not for me. It’s for our country. It’s respect for our country. So I just want to thank you, and I want to thank King Charles. Thank you very much. And we accept.
I don’t know if the media is going to follow us. I have a feeling they might. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
I’m pleased to say that the bust of one of the Prime Minister’s greatest predecessors, Winston Churchill, is now back in the rightful place in the Oval Office, and we’re very proud of it.
Our meeting today and the various breakout sessions we had were tremendously productive. Most importantly, I provided the Prime Minister with an update on our efforts to end the bloody and horrible war in Ukraine with Russia, which would never have happened if I were President. That was not going to happen. I promise you that.
After three years of hellacious conflict, approximately 1 million Ukrainians and Russians have been senselessly killed. But the number, I believe, is much higher than that. Countless schools, hospitals, towns, and beautiful ancient churches have been absolutely obliterated.
Peace Efforts in Ukraine
To begin the process of ending this spiral of death, I had historic back-to-back calls with President Putin — very successful calls, I might add. And President Zelensky and my team also spoke with the Secretary General of NATO on numerous occasions, and we’re working very hard to get that war brought to an end. I think we’ve made a lot of progress, and I think it’s moving along pretty rapidly. And I want to thank all of the people that are here that have been working on it. And we’ll let you know what happens. It’ll either be fairly soon or it won’t be at all.
In addition, this week, I met with President Macron of France, as you know, and held talks with members of the G7. Tomorrow, the progress toward peace will continue when President Zelensky visits the White House. He’ll be here tomorrow, in the early part of the day, and we’ll be signing a historic agreement that will make the United States a major partner in developing Ukraine’s minerals and rare earths and oil and gases. And we have a great understanding. I think it’s going to be great for Ukraine. We’re going to be at the site, and we’ll be digging. We’ll be dig, dig, digging. Dig we must. A big utility in New York conned at us, and they used to have a sign, dig we must. And we will be digging.
But much of the European aid to Ukraine has been sent in the form of loans, for which they expect to be paid back. And we didn’t have that honor under the Biden administration. He sent money. He would just send it — money after money after money, and never had any knowledge of ever seeing it back. It’s going to be $300 to $350 billion.
But under the breakthrough agreement, very unusual, which everyone said was difficult to get. But it’s really very good for Ukraine and very good for us. The American taxpayers will now effectively be reimbursed for the money, and hundreds of billions of dollars poured into helping Ukraine defend itself, which by and of itself is a very worthy thing to do.
We’ve paid far more than any other country, and with most of our support, it’s been paid in military — the finest weapons anywhere in the world. This includes vast amounts of military hardware, ammunition, and various other things that we now have to start rebuilding our own stockpiles.
Additionally, the minerals agreement will provide the basis for a more sustainable future relationship between the United States and Ukraine, and thus stimulate the long-term prosperity that will help the Ukrainians rebuild their country that’s been demolished. And the ruined infrastructure — the infrastructure, as you know, is in very bad shape.
In just over one month, our administration has already achieved more progress toward peace than years in the other administration, where they did nothing toward peace. They didn’t understand what was happening. Our approach is basically common sense. As I said, so many of the things that we do are based on common sense. If you want peace, you have to talk both sides.
As I discussed with Prime Minister Starmer, the next step we’re making is toward a very achievable ceasefire. We hope that that can happen quickly because thousands of young people — in this case, we’re not talking about Americans, we’re talking about Ukrainians and Russians are being killed every week — thousands. And it’s a rough battlefield. It’s a flat piece of land, and the bullet only stops when it hits somebody. And this week, I saw the reports, and it’s — I don’t even want to say what they are, but thousands of people, young people, young, vibrant people died.
And we want to stop that senseless — should have never happened.
This will lay the groundwork for a long-term peace agreement that will return stability to Eastern Europe and hopefully ensure that such a terrible war will never happen on European soil or, for that matter, anywhere again. It’s a horrible thing that’s going on.
NATO Defense Spending
The disaster in Ukraine shows exactly why it’s so important for the United Kingdom and other NATO partners to make large investments in their defense capabilities. In many cases, 4 percent or 5 percent of GDP would be appropriate. I know that they’re raising it. I just read an article, a great article, about the work you’re doing in the UK as to the military. You’re raising it quite a bit, which is a great thing to do for your country. It’s a great thing to do. It’s sad that we need that, but we probably need that. So congratulations on that. I know you got it through.
After years of chronic underfunding, there’s an urgent need to catch up for some countries. And I want to thank the Prime Minister once again for traveling here today, working together. I believe that we’ll once again demonstrate the power of our country’s unique friendship. This is indeed a unique friendship. It’s been many years, and I think it’s only gotten stronger, and we will make sure that it stays that way.
Trade Agreement
We’re going to have a great trade agreement. One way or the other, we’re going to end up with a very good trade agreement for both countries. And we’re working on that as we speak. I think we’ll have the confines. I think we’ll have something maybe even in terms of possibilities agreed to very shortly. J.D.’s working on it, our Vice President, and Scott, and I’m just looking at this old friend Mike. You’re going to work on it. Everyone’s going to work on it. We’ll see if we can do something pretty quickly. But we’re going to make some great trade agreements with the U.K. and with the Prime Minister, and it’ll happen very quickly.
So I just want to thank you again. And please thank King Charles for the invite, and I look forward to you giving our acceptance on behalf of the United States of America. Thank you very much, sir.
Prime Minister Starmer’s Response
KEIR STARMER: Thank you. Well, thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you for your hospitality. Thank you for your leadership. This has been a very good and very productive visit. And with your family roots in Scotland and your close bond with His Majesty the King, it’s good to know that the United Kingdom has a true friend in the Oval Office. And it was so good to see the bust of Winston Churchill back in its rightful place just a moment ago.
But look, in a moment of real danger around the world, the relationship, this relationship, matters more than ever. We remain each other’s first partner in defence, ready to come to the other’s aid, to counter threats wherever and whenever they may arise. No two
No two countries have done more together to keep people safe. And in a few weeks, we mark VE Day, the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe. Britain and America fought side by side to make that happen, one of the greatest moments in our history. We stand side by side still today.
KEIR STARMER: And we’re focused now on bringing an enduring end to the barbaric war in Ukraine. Mr. President, I welcome your deep and personal commitment to bring peace and to stop the killing. You’ve created a moment of tremendous opportunity to reach a historic peace deal, a deal that I think would be celebrated in Ukraine and around the world. That is the prize. But we have to get it right.
There’s a famous slogan in the United Kingdom from after the Second World War. That is that we have to win the peace. And that’s what we must do now. Because it can’t be peace that rewards the aggressor or that gives encouragement to regimes like Iran. We agree history must be on the side of the peacemaker, not the invader.
So the stakes, they couldn’t be higher. And we’re determined to work together to deliver a good deal. We discussed a plan today to reach a peace that is tough and fair, that Ukraine will help shape, that’s backed by strength, to stop Putin coming back for more.
I’m working closely with other European leaders on this, and I’m clear that the UK is ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air to support a deal, working together with our allies, because that is the only way that peace will last.
Mr. President, in this new era, you’re also right that Europe must step up. And let me tell you now, I see the growing threats we face, and so the UK is all in. This year we’ll be giving more military aid to Ukraine than ever, and just this week I’ve set out how we’re shouldering more of the security burden.
We’re already one of the biggest spenders in NATO, and now we’re going much further, delivering Britain’s biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War. This isn’t just talk, it’s action. We’re balancing the transatlantic alliance, making us all stronger, and standing up for our shared values and shared security, as Britain always has.
Common Ground and Shared Goals
Now, Mr. President, it’s no secret we’re from different political traditions, but there’s a lot that we have in common. We believe it’s not taking part that counts, what counts is winning. If you don’t win, you don’t deliver, and we’re determined to deliver for the working people of Britain and America, who want and deserve to see their lives improve.
So we’re both in a hurry to get things done, and that’s what the UK and US do when we work together. We win and we get things done, so we’ll do what it takes to keep our people safe. We’ll also work together to deliver some big economic wins that can benefit us both.
We have a $1.5 trillion invested in each other’s economies, creating over 2.5 million jobs across both economies. Our trading relationship is not just strong, it’s fair, balanced and reciprocal.
We’re leaders together in so many areas, ranked one and two in the world as investment destinations, one and two for universities, one and two for Nobel Prizes, one and two in golf as well, by the way, and we’re the only two Western countries with trillion-dollar tech sectors leaders in AI.
And look, we take a similar approach on this issue. Instead of over-regulating these new technologies, we’re seizing the opportunities that they offer. So we’ve decided today to go further, to begin work on a new economic deal with advanced technology at its core.
Look, our two nations together shaped the great technological innovations of the last century. We have a chance now to do the same for the 21st century. I mean, artificial intelligence could cure cancer. That could be a moonshot for our age, and that’s how we’ll keep delivering for our people.
There are so many opportunities to keep our nations strong and fulfil the promise of greatness that has always defined this relationship.
Invitation for State Visit
Finally, to underline the importance of this bond, it was my privilege and honour to bring a letter with me today from His Majesty the King, not only sending his best wishes, but also inviting the President and the First Lady to make a state visit to the United Kingdom, an unprecedented second state visit. This has never happened before. It’s so incredible it will be historic.
And I’m delighted that I can go back to His Majesty the King and tell him that President Trump has accepted the invitation. So, thank you. Our teams will now work together to set a date and we look forward to welcome you in the United Kingdom. Thank you once again.
DONALD TRUMP: Thank you very much. What a beautiful accent. I would have been president 20 years ago if I had that accent. Thank you very much. Okay, let’s see here. Go ahead, please.
Questions from Reporters
REPORTER: Earlier today you told me that you believe that foreign countries pay tariffs, but Americans who are concerned about higher prices believe, as most people do, that they’re paid by consumers and importers when they import things into this country. Can you explain how you came to this belief that foreign governments are paying tariffs?
And for the Prime Minister, did you discuss with President Trump his repeated statements of desire to annex Canada and has the King expressed any concern over the President’s apparent desire to remove one of his realms from his control?
DONALD TRUMP: So, I’ll go ahead. The first part, the tariffs are necessary because we’ve been treated very unfairly by many, many countries, including our friends, friend and foe, but we’ve been treated very unfairly in trade at levels that nobody’s really ever seen before and especially under the Biden administration. They really took advantage of the United States.
I’ve put massive tariffs on China during my four years. We had the best economy in the history of our country. Probably the best economy, maybe the best economy in the history of the world, and I used tariffs to even things up. And in particular with China, we took in hundreds of billions of dollars and we had no inflation.
And it’s a myth. It’s a myth that’s put out there by foreign countries that really don’t like paying tariffs and especially to even up. So, we’ve been treated badly by a lot. We’re using tariffs. And I find, and you just have to look at the numbers, but I find that it’s not about inflation. It’s about fairness and the inflation for us has not existed. And I don’t think it’s going to exist.
We’re going to bring our car industry back. We’re going to bring our chips back. We’re going to bring so many things back to our country, including pharmaceuticals and drugs. And the thing that’s going to get us there is tariffs.
And I say often, it’s my favorite word in the dictionary, but I always preface that by saying now, because I got into a lot of trouble with the fake news, where they say that’s not good. So, I say God, love, family, wife. They’re all my favorite words, but tariff is about number four or five on the list. But I will tell you, it’s going to make our country rich and it’s going to stop us from being a laughingstock all over the world, because we have been taken advantage of like no country has ever been taken advantage of. Thank you very much.
KEIR STARMER: Look, we had a really good discussion, a productive discussion, a good discussion, as a result of which our teams are now going to be working together on an economic deal. Our team is going to be working together on security in Ukraine. You mentioned Canada. I think you’re trying to find a divide between us that doesn’t exist. We’re the closest of nations and we had very good discussions today, but we didn’t discuss Canada.
DONALD TRUMP: Please, go ahead. Go ahead.
REPORTER: Yes. Thank you. Hi, Natasha Clark from the BBC. Mr. President, you’ve said you’re working on a new trade deal with Britain, which we of course welcome. President Obama once said Britain was at the back of the key for that trade deal. Where are we now? When do you think we’re going to see that?
And Prime Minister, the BBC has today admitted serious flaws over the recent Gaza coverage, suggestions of payments made to people linked to Hamas. Does the BBC still have your trust? Thank you.
DONALD TRUMP: Well, they didn’t do well with President Obama. He’d never got a lot of things done and he didn’t get a trade deal done that was of any
KEIR STARMER: …importance or magnitude. We have had great discussions on trade and I think we’re going to have a deal done rather quickly, as quickly as it can be done. We’re going to have something, I think, rather quickly. We expect to do that.
On the BBC, look, I’ve been concerned about the program in question. The Secretary of State had a meeting with the BBC. I think it was yesterday, could have been the day before.
REPORTER: Thank you. Jeff, go ahead.
REPORTER: Thank you, sir. Pardon me. Mr. President, do you support Article 5 of the NATO treaty? And are you concerned that it might be triggered if European peacekeeping forces end up in Ukraine?
DONALD TRUMP: I support it. I don’t think we’re going to have any reason for it. I think we’re going to have a very successful peace and I think it’s going to be a long-lasting peace and I think it’s going to happen hopefully quickly. If it doesn’t happen quickly, it may not happen at all. And we want it for two reasons. Number one, I want to see on a humane basis, I want to see soldiers stop getting shot, because largely it’s soldiers now. Towns have been obliterated. But it’s largely that. And I don’t want to pay billions and billions and billions of dollars, nor does the Prime Minister or anybody else on a senseless war that should have never happened. And we’re going to get it taken care of. But I think it’s going to be a peace that’s going to be long-lasting.
REPORTER: Do you have a question for the Prime Minister?
REPORTER: Thank you. Mr. Prime Minister, you were asking the President today about a backstop for Europe if the peacekeeping force ends up in Ukraine. Did you feel like you got a satisfying answer for yourself and for Europe? And Mr. President, if you want to comment on that as well, please do.
KEIR STARMER: I thought we had a very productive discussion. Obviously, as the President says, the deal has to come first. But yes, our teams are going to be talking about how we make sure that deal sticks, is lasting and enforced. So our teams will be talking about that.
DONALD TRUMP: OK, please, Blue.
REPORTER: Mr. President, some experts think it could take more than a decade to mine the precious minerals from Ukraine. How much should the U.S. expect to receive? And when do you expect to see that come to fruition?
DONALD TRUMP: Well, we’re never going to know that answer. But by our being in Ukraine and doing the exploration and also the digging and taking the rare earth, which we need in our country very badly, we’ll be doing a substantial amount of work, probably about at least what we have in there. And we hope to be able to do that. You never know when it comes to that. You know, you dig and maybe things aren’t there like you think they’re there. But we’ll be spending a lot of time there. It’ll be great for Ukraine. It’s like a huge economic development project. So it’ll be good for both countries.
DONALD TRUMP: Please.
Discussion on European Security and Ukraine
REPORTER: Prime Minister, you’ve talked about putting British soldiers’ boots on the ground in Ukraine in the event that President Trump succeeds with his peace deal. But can you do that without a firm assurance that America will have our back in the form of some kind of security guarantee? Were Putin to breach that agreement? And Mr. President, tomorrow, you’re seeing President Zelensky to sign this deal on minerals and energy that could be hugely important to the United States. Will you take the opportunity to apologize to him for calling him a dictator while praising Vladimir Putin, who is a dictator?
KEIR STARMER: Well, Robert, let me start by saying I’ve been really clear today and previously that I think that European countries, including the United Kingdom, need to step up in our own defence and security. We’ve been doing that in recent days. You saw the announcement we made on spending just the other day. In addition to that, I’ve made it clear that the United Kingdom will play its full part in ensuring that if there’s a deal and we hope there is a deal in Ukraine, that that is a lasting deal that sticks. And we’re obviously working with other European countries on that, France and NATO in particular. But I’ve got I think I’m hosting 18 countries on Sunday to further our discussions. You heard from the president this morning that, you know, as historically has always been the case, we have each other’s backs. And today we’ve been talking about the deal, how that will be a lasting deal. And coming out of this, our teams will now be talking in detail about that.
DONALD TRUMP: And I think we’re going to have a very good meeting tomorrow, 11 o’clock. And I think we’re going to have a very good meeting tomorrow morning. We’re going to get along really well. OK, we have a lot of respect. I have a lot of respect for him. We’ve given him a lot of equipment and a lot of money, but they have fought very bravely, no matter how you figure it, they have really fought. Somebody has to use that equipment and they have been very brave in that sense. Yeah, please go ahead.
REPORTER: And the ceasefire deal is nearing an end this Saturday, and there’s been some worry that phase two might never get there. Do you believe that phase two of the ceasefire in Gaza will come to fruition? And have you spoken to Netanyahu about this? And for the prime minister, this peacekeeping deal has been pushed forward by the UK and France as well. Have you been in discussions with any other European countries to join this initiative? And are you expecting Commonwealth countries to also join the effort? Thank you.
DONALD TRUMP: So we’re working very hard in the Middle East and Gaza and all of the problems. And it’s been going on for years and years and centuries and centuries. It’s a tough neighborhood, but it could be a very beautiful neighborhood. And I think we’re going to come up with some pretty good solutions. But phase one is almost complete. We’ve had some people that have been very seriously injured, very seriously hurt, both physically and mentally. They’ve come out of their very, very and some of them in very, very bad shape. It’s shocking. Many young people, young people aren’t in bad shape. Young people are strong, healthy. They don’t die. People have come out dead. Young people and old people. It’s a rough situation, but I think we’re going to make it much better. And I think that we’ve had a huge impact on that since we’ve been in just the four weeks. I think we’ve had a huge impact on Gaza, the Middle East. And we have some pretty good talks going on concerning lots of other people that are going to make it better. So we’ll see what happens. Nobody really knows, but we’ll see what happens. But I think we’ve had a very positive impact.
KEIR STARMER: Yeah. On the question of the European countries. Yes, I’ve spoken to a number of countries, particularly in the last few weeks. We had a meeting in Paris last week. I’ve got a meeting on Sunday with 18 countries to further our discussions. Obviously, we’ve been talking quite intensely to our French colleagues and to NATO, but to other countries as well, because, as I say, I think it’s important for European countries, including the United Kingdom, to step up and do more in the defence and security of Europe and our continent in the United Kingdom, and we’ll do so. Well, we’re talking to a number of other countries.
DONALD TRUMP: Thank you. Yes, in the red, please. Pink red. Flaming red. Is it me or her? Go ahead.
REPORTER: OK, thank you, Mr. President. A question on Ukraine. Number one is, if you’re not considering the security guarantees, are you open to other forms of, for example, intelligence cooperation with Ukraine? And, Mr. Prime Minister, President Trump has proposed a plan for Gaza. Does this fit into the two-state solution that the UK held for a long time? Do you see it fit into your general Middle Eastern strategy? Thank you so much.
DONALD TRUMP: Yeah, thank you very much. We’re open to many things. But before I even think about that, that’s almost pleasant to think about, because that would mean that peace has been arrived at. We have to arrive at that peace. And, you know, you went three and a half years with an administration that never even really had a meeting. They didn’t have a meeting on peace, and there was no prospect of peace. I think, frankly, Russia wanted to go through the whole long deal. I don’t think they do anymore. I don’t think they do. We
DONALD TRUMP: …had a very big impact on that whole situation. But I don’t like talking about phase two until I get phase one. Phase one is I have to make peace, and we have to get Russia to agree. We have to get Ukraine to agree. And I think we will — I think we’ve come a long way. I believe we’re going to get it done. I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t think so. And I think it will be very important, very historic, and we’re going to save a lot of lives.
Discussions on Gaza and Middle East Peace
KEIR STARMER: On the question of Gaza, the last few weeks of the ceasefire have been very impactful. And for me, there are two images that I remember more than any other. The first is Emily Damari, who is British, being reunited with her mother. You may remember she had her fingers missing after what she endured. That was an incredible moment. I had spent a lot of time with her mother while she was held captive, and her mother went through absolute torture.
The other image was thousands of Palestinians marching through rubble, trying to return to their communities and their homes. So we have to do everything we can to ensure that the ceasefire continues so that more hostages can be returned, so that aid can be brought in that’s desperately needed. And we need to allow Palestinians to return and to rebuild their lives, and we must all support them in doing that. And yes, I believe that the two-state solution is ultimately the only way for a lasting peace in the region.
DONALD TRUMP: Home with her fingers and part of her hand blown off. That’s terrible. How bad does it get? And we had others that came home in much, much worse shape than that. It’s a terrible situation.
Please, yes.
Questions on UK-US Trade and Putin’s Reliability
REPORTER: Thank you. Mr. President, did our Prime Minister persuade you not to put tariffs on the UK? And Prime Minister, do you think that Vladimir Putin is a man who will keep his word?
DONALD TRUMP: He tried. He was working hard, I’ll tell you that. He earned whatever the hell they pay him over there. But he tried. I think there’s a very good chance that in the case of these two great, friendly countries, I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn’t be necessary. We’ll see. But he earned whatever they pay him here today. He was working hard at lunch. And I’m very receptive to it.
I think we, in all fairness, in all seriousness, I think we have a very good chance at arriving at a very good deal. JD and Scott and Howard, all the people are working on it. And I think we have a good chance at arriving at a deal that could be terrific, really terrific for both countries. OK?
Thank you.
KEIR STARMER: On the second part of the question, I think my views on Putin are pretty well rehearsed and pretty well known. And my concern is that if there’s a deal, and I hope there is a deal, that it must be a lasting deal, that it’s not a temporary measure. And that is why I think it’s really important that Putin knows that this deal, a historic deal, which I very much hope comes about, is there, is there, and it’s a lasting deal, and that we’re able to deal with any inclination he has to go again or go further.
DONALD TRUMP: I think we’ll have two deals. I think we’ll have a deal on ending the war. And I think we’re going to end up with a great trade deal with you. And it’s an honor to be with you. And I want to thank everybody very much. Thank you very much.
