Can opposites Trump and Starmer find common ground? | Global News Avenue

Mr. Rules and Mr. Rule-Breakers.

Lawyers and convicted men.

Human rights lawyer and brash New York real estate mogul.

Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump are, to put it mildly, very different figures – and that’s before we start talking policy.

The Prime Minister’s own colleagues called him “Mr. Rules” As a way of summarizing the essence of his character, what makes him act the way he does.

Academics even gave it a name – “ judicialization of politics” – means “relying on laws and quasi-laws, that is, rules, norms, conventions, procedures, and means to solve substantive issues of public policy. “

What’s clear is that the man now in the Oval Office speaks the exact opposite of that with almost every word.

But some believe that perhaps none of this should be exaggerated.

“Most foreign leaders are annoyed by Trump in some way,” one close observer told me.

The key, many believe, is to deal with the new president in a way that he likes and, in theory, might work.

So instead of going through lengthy foreign policy details, he proposes ideas that would either contribute to his “America First” agenda while also ensuring a British victory, or help the president solidify his historic position in the Middle East or Ukraine .

We expect the Prime Minister to fly to Washington soon to meet President Trump at the White House.

It means Sir Keir and Foreign Secretary David Lamy will be able to stop reminiscing over the chicken dinner they had when they met Trump at Trump Tower in New York last September first.

It was when Sir Keir found himself on a plane across the Atlantic and what leaders he had been invited to before him that we will take a closer look at – obviously some such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni and Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban is ideologically closer to the president than Sir Keir.

Symbolism aside, the outcome of the meeting may be more important than the timing.

So what will be on the agenda?

Ukraine, trade, defense spending, the Middle East, climate change, the Chagos Islands and more.

The Chagos Islands represent a potential early flashpoint, or at least an embarrassing moment.

The UK plans to hand over the Indian Ocean Islands, home to a joint US-UK military base, to Mauritius put on hold For President Trump to view.

The UK’s position on Ukraine is clear and the Prime Minister deliberately emphasized this just days before President Trump took office.

Sir Keir signs one in Kyiv 100 year contract Russia is coming off a new president who has promised to end the war quickly, which many believe will make Russia look like the winner.

Can President Trump and incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio reach a deal that is widely seen as bad for Ukraine? And, would Russian President Vladimir Putin be interested in ending the conflict now, or in continuing to gain more territory?

On trade, how can the UK avoid the crippling tariffs and import taxes imposed by the US, as President Trump has threatened to do to friends and foes alike?

UK government sources spoke of “alignment of priorities” between London and Washington in boosting economic growth.

America is British largest trading partneraccounting for nearly 18% of the UK’s total trade.

The problem is that tariffs could undermine any growth, and Downing Street can only hope to persuade the president to abandon the idea.

If President Trump calls for a significant increase in defense spending, can the UK afford it?

Perhaps an argument can be made that tariffs will make it more difficult to spend on defense.

Then there are the thoughts and social media posts of the president’s friend Elon Musk, who for months has been deeply hostile to the prime minister until last week after the government laid out its response to child sexual exploitation , these thoughts were slightly alleviated.

Remember, Sir Keir has the prospect of another state visit from President Trump and the First Lady lurking in his back pocket.

President Trump’s mother was born and raised on the Isle of Lewis – his affection for Britain is genuine, as is his love for the royal family.

Don’t be surprised if an invitation arrives at the White House sooner or later. The question is when will this card be played?

To say President Trump is unpredictable has become predictable because not only is that true, it’s an understatement.

The world is going to look very different – ​​and that difference starts now.