The United Kingdom has succeeded in the first European country to snatch a commercial agreement with Donald Trump after its price offensive. The British president and prime minister, Keir Starmer, filed this agreement on Monday at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada.
While negotiations with the European Union and China dress, how did Keir Starmer convince his American counterpart, considered inflexible? So few details have leaked, it seems that the United Kingdom has obtained great Trump concessions, including a drop in customs tasks in cars, the steel exported to the United States and other products.
As we know, Donald Trump works with instinct and feeling. And it seems that with Keir Starmer, these two boxes were marked. No contempt is clearly shown as with Emmanuel Macron, without a peak in World War II as with the new German chancellor, but respect and even a certain friendship.
Variable Geometry Friendships
Even if these friends are with variable geometry in Donald Trump, the example that Elon Musk shouted, the white house tenant has said several times all the good that he thought of the Starmer (despite the fact that it was work, so that in the theory of the left center) but also of the United Kingdom in general.
And to braid him: “I get along with him. I really appreciate him. He represented his country at the philosophical level. He may not agree with his philosophy, but I maintain excellent relations with him.”
He is “a very competent person” who does “very good job,” he added.
This proximity that seems sincere despite the very different personalities is surely one of the keys that have allowed this commercial agreement. But that was not enough.
Obviously, there is the historical, cultural and almost fraternal bond between the two countries that forms “a privileged link.” A link that Donald Trump cultivates through his origins (his mother was of Scottish origin) and his taste for British culture, but also his secular monarchy.
“I loved the queen. I admired the king”
According to the press, he particularly appreciated having been received in 2019 by Queen Elisabeth II despite some increases in the protocol (he had touched the sovereign in particular, which in itself constitutes a crime). As well as being officially invited by the new Charles III monarch (through a handwritten letter) to a state visit. Therefore, we can say that the British crown actively participated in the resolution of the commercial conflict between the two countries and Donald Trump is delighted.
“He loved the queen. He admires and loves the king. It is a very important relationship. He is a businessman who maintains many important commercial relations in [Grande-Bretagne]. But I think it’s much deeper than that. There is a real cultural affinity. And, of course, the United States is fundamentally an Anglo -Saxon country, “summarized Vice President Vance.
Finally, in a much more pragmatic way, the signing of this agreement has certainly been facilitated by the fact that the United States benefits, according to US figures, a commercial surplus of goods with the United Kingdom, which means that British buy more in the United States that they do not export. Even if this figure is subject to interpretation, the British data that tend to say otherwise.
Source: BFM TV
