Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have “agreed to meet soon” in their first call since the US president’s inauguration, Downing Street has said.
The call, which lasted 45 minutes and covered issues including trade and the economy, are the first between the two leaders since the US president’s inauguration on January 20.
It came hours after President Trump praised the Prime Minister for having done “a very good job thus far”, with the pair agreeing on “the importance of the close and warm ties” of Britain and the US during their conversation.
Posting on social media after the call, Sir Keir Starmer said he looked forward to meeting Donald Trump to “strengthen the close ties between our countries”.
A Number 10 spokesperson said: “President Trump opened by sending his condolences to the Prime Minister on the loss of his brother. The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his kind words and congratulated him on his inauguration.
“The Prime Minister paid tribute to President Trump’s role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza.
“The president welcomed the release of Emily Damari and sent his best wishes to her family.
“They discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East.
“The two leaders stressed the importance of the close and warm ties between the UK and the US, and the president spoke of his respect and affection for the royal family.
“They agreed to meet soon and looked forward to further discussions then.”
Earlier in the weekend, the US president told reporters on Air Force One that he and Sir Keir “get along well” despite the difference in their political views.
“I like him a lot,” Mr Trump said. “He’s liberal, which is a bit different from me, but I think he’s a very good person and I think he’s done a very good job thus far.
“He’s represented his country in terms of philosophy. I may not agree with his philosophy, but I have a very good relationship with him.”
Mr Trump added that the UK was being considered as the destination for the first international trip of his second term.
The prime minister’s call came after President Trump was accused of supporting “ethnically cleansing” the Gaza Strip after he suggested Arab nations should take in more Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip and “just clean out that whole thing”.
Meanwhile, President Trump ordered tariffs and visa restrictions against Colombia after its government rejected two flights carrying migrants deported from the US.
Trump said that the decision of Colombian President Gustavo Petro “jeopardised” national security in the US, after Petro earlier announced that his government would not accept the flights until the migrants are treated with “dignity.
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