Starmer has avoided state-visit bear traps but has he changed any of Trump’s thinking?

<p>PM cannot afford for US president to walk away from Ukraine crisis and must persuade him to publicly support specific Gaza plans</p><p>With bear traps avoided and fireworks unlit, Keir Starmer will be delighted that his <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/18/donald-trumps-state-visit-press-conference-what-did-we-learn">press conference</a> with Donald Trump lent credence to his claim to be America’s first partner in defence, trade and now technology.</p><p>Trump, for his part, got the “great pictures” he wanted and was on his best low-wattage behaviour. He said he did not disagree with his host about much, save Starmer’s plan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/18/uk-preparing-to-recognise-palestinian-state-as-early-as-friday">to recognise a Palestinian state</a>. And he teetered on the edge of being diplomatic, at least until he advised Starmer <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/18/trump-turn-fire-on-putin-and-lauds-uk-in-press-conference-with-starmer">to use the military</a> to stop small boats crossing the Channel.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/18/starmer-trump-state-visit-influence-ukraine-gaza">Continue reading...</a>