Washington DC, 27 February 2025
Speech by The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP
(Transcript as delivered)
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Thank you for your hospitality and leadership. This has been a highly productive visit.
With your family roots in Scotland and your close bond with His Majesty the King, it is good to know that the United Kingdom has a true friend in the Oval Office. It was also a pleasure to see the bust of Winston Churchill back in its rightful place just a moment ago.
At a time of real danger around the world, this relationship matters more than ever. We remain each other’s first partner in defence—ready to stand together against threats wherever and whenever they arise. No two militaries are more intertwined than ours, and no two nations have done more together to ensure global security.
In a few weeks, we will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE Day). Britain and America fought side by side to achieve that moment—one of the greatest in our shared history. We continue to stand side by side today, focused on bringing an enduring end to the barbaric war in Ukraine.
Mr. President, I welcome your deep, personal commitment to peace. You have created a moment of tremendous opportunity to secure a historic peace deal—one that would be celebrated in Ukraine and across the world. That is the prize.
But we must get it right. In the United Kingdom, after the Second World War, we had a famous slogan: “We must win the peace.” That must be our mission now.
This cannot be a peace that rewards the aggressor or emboldens regimes like Iran. We agree—history must be on the side of the peacemaker, not the invader. The stakes could not be higher, and we are determined to work together to secure a fair and lasting deal.
Today, we discussed a plan to achieve a peace that is tough and just—one that Ukraine will help shape and that is backed by strength to prevent Putin from returning for more. I am working closely with other European leaders on this, and I want to be clear:
The UK is ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air to support a deal. We will work alongside our allies, because that is the only way to secure a lasting peace.
Mr. President, in this new era, you are right—Europe must step up.
Let me assure you: I see the growing threats we face, and the UK is all in. This year, we will provide more military aid to Ukraine than ever before. Just this week, I outlined how we are taking on a greater share of the security burden.
The UK is already one of the biggest spenders in NATO, and we are going further—delivering Britain’s largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War. This is not just talk—it is action. We are rebalancing the transatlantic alliance, strengthening our collective security, and standing up for our shared values, just as Britain always has.
Mr. President, it is no secret that we come from different political traditions. But there is much we have in common.
We both believe that what matters is not just taking part—it is winning. If you do not win, you cannot deliver. And we are both determined to deliver for the working people of Britain and America, who deserve to see real improvements in their lives. That is why we are in a hurry to get things done.
When the UK and the US work together, we win—and we get things done.
We will do whatever it takes to keep our people safe. But beyond security, we will also work together to secure major economic wins that benefit both nations.
Our economic relationship is strong:
- We have $1.5 trillion invested in each other’s economies.
- We have created over 2.5 million jobs across both nations.
- Our trading relationship is not just robust—it is fair, balanced, and reciprocal.
Together, we lead the world in many areas:
- We are ranked first and second as global investment destinations.
- We are first and second for top universities.
- We are first and second in Nobel prizes.
- And, by the way, first and second in golf!
We are also the only two Western nations with trillion-dollar tech sectors, leading the way in AI.
We take a similar approach to new technologies. Rather than over-regulating, we are seizing the opportunities they offer. That is why, today, we have decided to go further—to begin work on a new economic deal with advanced technology at its core.
For generations, our two nations have shaped the great technological innovations of the past century. Now, we have the chance to do the same for the 21st century.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform lives—it could even cure cancer. That could be the moonshot of our time. And that is how we will keep delivering for our people.
The opportunities ahead are immense. By working together, we will keep our nations strong and fulfill the promise of greatness that has always defined our partnership.
Finally, to underline the importance of our relationship, it was my privilege and honour to deliver a letter today from His Majesty the King.
Not only does His Majesty send his best wishes, but he has also extended an invitation for you, Mr. President, and the First Lady, to make a State Visit to the United Kingdom—an unprecedented second State Visit. This has never happened before. It will be a historic occasion.
And I am delighted to share that President Trump has accepted the invitation.
Our teams will now work together to set a date, and Mr. President, we look forward to welcoming you to the United Kingdom.
Thank you once again.
Source – UK Government