US President Joe Biden has appeared to endorse UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ambition for a closer relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
The leaders met for their first bilateral talks at the White House, marking a pivotal moment in transatlantic relations.
During the meeting in the Oval Office, Biden highlighted the enduring bond between the US and the UK, referring to them as the “best of allies.” He emphasized Britain’s crucial role in maintaining the strength of the transatlantic alliance.
“I kind of see you guys as the knot tying the transatlantic alliance together, the closer you are with Europe,” Biden remarked, signaling his support for a tighter UK-EU relationship.
Biden’s interest in Brexit has been well-documented, particularly his concerns about maintaining peace in Northern Ireland.
He has consistently stressed that the Good Friday Agreement must not be compromised by the UK’s departure from the EU.
Starmer, on his part, used the NATO summit in Washington to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to the alliance and to Ukraine.
He confirmed that the UK would continue to allocate at least £3 billion annually for military support to Kyiv “for as long as it takes” in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Additionally, Starmer sought to strengthen ties with European leaders, aiming to secure an EU-UK security pact. He was accompanied on this trip by Nick Thomas-Symonds, his minister for European relations.
During the bilateral meeting, Starmer congratulated Biden on hosting the 75th anniversary of NATO, praising the alliance’s growth and resilience.
“The special relationship is so important. It’s forged in difficult circumstances, endured for so long, and stronger now than ever. I’m very pleased to be able to come so early in government to recommit to NATO, to recommit to the special relationship, and to discuss these affairs with you.”
Keir Starmer
Starmer also underscored the “special relationship” between the UK and the US and hinted at the potential use of UK-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine to target military sites in Russia. This statement preceded his planned meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Biden’s Health Surfaces Again
This high-profile meeting, however, came amidst scrutiny of Biden’s health and age, with the US presidential election just four months away.
When questioned by reporters about actor George Clooney’s suggestion that he should step down as the Democratic candidate, Biden merely shrugged, opting to keep the focus on international diplomacy.
The meeting included a personal touch, with the football-enthusiast Prime Minister presenting Biden with an Arsenal football shirt bearing the name “Biden” and the number 46, symbolizing his position as the 46th US president.
A senior No. 10 official explained, “It’s [Starmer’s] team and [he] thought it would make a personal gift.” Starmer had previously gifted an Arsenal shirt to French President Emmanuel Macron.
Additionally, Starmer presented Biden with a framed copy of the original Atlantic Charter, featuring amendments by former Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee, which laid the foundation for NATO.
Following the talks, the Bidens hosted Starmer, his wife Victoria, and other NATO leaders and their partners at a lavish White House dinner, underscoring the deepening bonds of the transatlantic alliance.
In the UK, Shadow Minister James Cartlidge criticized the government for creating “massive uncertainty” for the armed forces by not setting a clear deadline for increasing defense spending.
Starmer expressed his commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defense “within our fiscal rules,” though he noted the need for a thorough review before establishing a timeline.
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