Starmer to urge Trump to press Israel for more Gaza aid access
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is meeting Monday with Trump at a golf property owned by the president's family near Turnberry in southwestern Scotland — then later traveling to Abderdeen, on the country's northeast coast, where there's another Trump golf course and a third is opening soon.
During his first term in 2019, Trump posted of his Turnberry property, 'Very proud of perhaps the greatest golf course anywhere in the world. Also, furthers U.K. relationship!' Starmer is not a golfer, but toggling between Trump's Scottish courses shows the outsized influence the president puts on properties bearing his name — and on golf's ability to shape geopolitics.
However, even as Trump may want to focus on showing off his golf properties, Starmer will try to center the conversation on more urgent global matters. He plans to urge Trump to press Israel to allow more aid into Gaza and attempt to end what Downing St. called 'the unspeakable suffering and starvation' in the territory, while pushing for a ceasefire in Israel's conflict with Hamas.
Story continues below advertisement
Britain, along with France and Germany, has criticized Israel for 'withholding essential humanitarian assistance' as hunger spread in Gaza. Over the weekend, Starmer said Britain will take part in efforts led by Jordan to airdrop aid after Israel temporarily eased restrictions.
But British Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds acknowledged Monday that only the U.S. has 'the leverage' to make a real difference in the conflict.
1:46
'I am not leaving Gaza': Palestinians flatly reject Trump's displacement plan
Still, asked about the crisis in Gaza on Sunday night, Trump was largely dismissive — focused more on how he's not personally gotten credit for previous attempts to provide food aid.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
'It's terrible. You really at least want to have somebody say, 'Thank you,'' Trump said.
The president added, 'It makes you feel a little bad when you do that' without what he considered proper acknowledgement.
Story continues below advertisement
Starmer is under pressure from his Labour Party lawmakers to follow France in recognizing a Palestinian state, a move both Israel and the U.S. have condemned. The British leader says the U.K. supports statehood for the Palestinians but that it must be 'part of a wider plan' for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Also on Monday's agenda, according to Starmer's office, are efforts to promote a possible peace deal to end fighting in Russia's conflict with Ukraine — particularly efforts at forcing Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table in the next 50 days.
Trump in the past sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for also failing to express enough public gratitude toward U.S. support for his country, taking a similar tack he's now adopting when it comes to aid for Gaza. The president, though, has shifted away from that tone and more sharply criticized Putin and Russia in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, Trump will be at the site of his new course near Aberdeen for an official ribbon-cutting. It opens to the public on Aug. 13 and tee times are already for sale — with the course betting that a presidential visit can help boost sales.
Protesters have planned a demonstration in Balmedie, near Trump's existing Aberdeen golf course, after demonstrators took to the streets across Scotland on Saturday to decry the president's visit while he was golfing.
Story continues below advertisement
Starmer and Trump are likely to find more common ground on trade issues.
While China initially responded to Trump's tariff threats by retaliating with high import taxes of its own on U.S. goods, it has since begun negotiating to ease trade tensions. Starmer and his country have taken a far softer approach. He's gone out of his way to work with Trump, flattering the president repeatedly during a February visit to the White House, and teaming up to announce a joint trade framework on tariffs for some key products in May.
1:40
Trump, Starmer sign U.S.-U.K. trade deal during G7 summit in Canada
Starmer and Trump then signed a trade agreement during the G7 summit in Canada that freed the U.K.'s aerospace sector from U.S. tariffs and used quotas to reduce them on auto-related industries from 25% to 10% while increasing the amount of U.S. beef it pledged to import.
Discussions with Starmer follow a Trump meeting Sunday with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at his Turnberry course. They announced a trade framework that will put 15% tariffs on most goods from both countries, though many major details remain pending.
Story continues below advertisement
The president has for months railed against yawning U.S. trade deficits around the globe and sees tariffs as a way to try and close them in a hurry. But the U.S. ran an $11.4 billion trade surplus with Britain last year, meaning it exported more to the U.K. than it imported. Census Bureau figures this year indicate that the surplus could grow.
There are still lingering U.S.-Britain trade issues that need fine-tuning. The deal framework from May said British steel would enter the U.S. duty-free, but it continues to face a 25% levy.
U.K. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Monday that 'negotiations have been going on on a daily basis' and 'there's a few issues to push a little bit further today,' though he downplayed expectations of a resolution.
The leader of Scotland, meanwhile, said he will urge Trump to lift the current 10% tariff on Scotch whisky. First Minister John Swinney said the spirit's 'uniqueness' justified an exemption.
Even as some trade details linger and both leaders grapple with increasingly difficult choices in Gaza and Ukraine, however, Starmer's staying on Trump's good side appears to be working — at least so far.
'The U.K. is very well-protected. You know why? Because I like them — that's their ultimate protection,' Trump said during the G7.
—Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
9 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
China's exports and imports picked up in July, helped by the pause in Trump's higher tariffs
BANGKOK (AP) — China's exports surged 7.2% in July from a year earlier while its imports grew at the fastest pace in a year, as businesses rushed to take advantage of a truce in President Donald Trump' s trade war with Beijing. However, analysts said the improvement also reflected a low base for comparison in July 2024. Exports to the United States sank nearly 22% year-on-year, while imports from America fell almost 19%. But exports to Africa and Southeast Asia surged at double-digit rates as Chinese businesses diverted sales to other markets. Tariffs on Chinese goods are being considered separately from the new higher tariffs that took effect on Thursday for dozens of U.S. trading partners. China's global trade surplus for 2025 rose to $683.5 billion by the end of July, nearly a third higher than the surplus for the same period last year. The data showed that China's surplus in July was $98.2 billion, while its exports to the United States were $23.7 billion than its imports of U.S. goods. U.S. imports from China are subject to tariffs of at least 30%, with some products facing much higher import duties. Trump earlier had ordered still higher rates of up to 245%, and Beijing responded in kind, but the two sides agreed to pause those to allow time for trade talks. It's unclear if the truce will be extended beyond an Aug. 12 deadline following the latest round of negotiations last week in Sweden. The Trump administration has also raised tariffs on imports from countries other than China that it suspects of being 'transshipped' via other countries. For example, the import duty on Vietnam's exports to the U.S. now stands at 20%. For transshipped goods, it's 40%. 'With the temporary boost to demand from the U.S.-China trade truce already fading and tariffs on shipments rerouted via other countries now rising, exports look set to remain under pressure in the near term,' Zichun Huang of Capital Economics said in a report. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Economists had been expecting China's dollar-denominated exports to grow less than 6% in annual terms in July, on a par with June's 5.8% rate. But improved trade with the rest of the world has helped offset the impact of Trump's trade war. Imports rose 4.1% last month from a year earlier, the most since July 2024, with higher shipments of crude oil, copper and soybeans. China's exports of rare earths that are vital for making many high-tech and other products and Trump has made ensuring U.S. access to such vital minerals a key part of trade negotiations, leading Beijing to promise to loosen some controls. In July, China's exports of rare earths fell 17.6%, compared with a nearly 50% fall the month before. In January-July, its rare earths exports fell 24.2% in dollar terms although they rose more than 13 percent by volume. Exports of vehicles, fertilizer, ships and auto parts also saw strong growth.
Winnipeg Free Press
40 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Independent candidate for Michigan governor is betting on partisan fatigue in the midterms
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan spent his political career as a Democrat, leading Michigan's largest Democratic stronghold. But now, he's become a target of his former party, whose leaders are furious about his decision to run for Michigan governor next year as an independent. Detroit is a power base for Democrats in the battleground state, and some fear Duggan will draw support from their nominee and potentially help the Republican candidate. Democrats have launched attacks against Duggan, accusing him of being bankrolled by allies of President Donald Trump. But Duggan — who is soon leaving the office he has held since 2014 — says voters of all leanings are tired of partisan fighting. 'It doesn't actually matter where I go in the state,' Duggan said. 'People are angry that their problems are not getting solved because the two parties are so consumed with fighting with each other.' Duggan had been a major Democratic figure in Michigan with a close working relationship with former President Joe Biden. While there is precedent for independent governors in the U.S., none are currently in office and there has never been one in Michigan. Duggan spoke recently with The Associated Press about his candidacy, why he's not running as a Democrat and his positions on key issues. Why run as an independent? Duggan said voters are fed up with partisan politics and want an option outside of the two-party system. He announced his bid a month after Democrats suffered heavy losses in the 2024 election. But, midterm elections tend to favor the party not in power. Democrats have now seized on cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits as winning issues in races across the country. Duggan doesn't see it that way. 'I mean, it would have been easier to win as a Democrat, but then I'd have just been part of the partisan problem,' Duggan said. As an example, Duggan pointed to Michigan's split Legislature, with Republicans in control of the state House and Democrats controlling the state Senate. Only six proposals have become law this year, and the state operating budget is still hung up. Duggan's campaign has focused on his independency from both parties and education in the state. Duggan derided Michigan House Democrats who voted against a measure to restrict cellphone usage in schools. 'I don't really intend to get involved in the national Republican versus Democratic talking points,' he said. Tariffs in Detroit, and abroad Several companies in Michigan's auto industry, centered in Detroit, have reported major losses and expressed worry about tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Auto parts often move across the border between the U.S. and Canada multiple times during manufacturing. Duggan said tariffs on China and Mexico could push manufacturing to Michigan. However, tariffs on Canada are 'devastating,' he said. 'When you put a tariff on Canada, you put a tariff on Michigan,' he said. He also critiqued the ever-changing nature of Trump's tariff policies, saying they prevent companies from making educated, long-term investments. President Trump Duggan praised current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her work with the Trump administration, opposing the tariffs on Canada and working with him to get new fighter jets for an air force base. Some Democrats have criticized Whitmer for appearing with Trump multiple times this year. 'I think it's exactly the right kind of approach,' he said. Elon Musk Democrats in Michigan have frequently tied Duggan to Elon Musk; an attempt to undercut Duggan by association with the divisive public figure. Musk, a former Trump ally, said in July that he would create a third political party. When Duggan responded to Musk on X saying 'Now you've got my attention,' the Michigan Democratic Party said the mayor was 'cozying' up to the richest man in the world. When asked about exchange, Duggan said his bid is 'exactly the opposite' of a third party and said he wants no part of one. As an independent, he would not be responsible for any party majority, he said. 'I'm going to work with whoever wins to build bridges,' he said. Arab American voters Michigan is home to one of the largest populations of Arab American voters in the U.S., many of whom are disillusioned with both political parties over Israel's military offensive in Gaza which has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis. 'The governor doesn't make policy 6,000 miles away,' Duggan said. 'The governor has a great deal to say about the tone of hate speech and threats to individuals — whether it's the Jewish community, the Arab community — in the state of Michigan.' Who else is in the race? Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run for reelection. The crowded field vying to replace her includes three Democrats — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson — and four Republicans — U.S. Rep. John James, state Senate Leader Aric Nesbitt, former state Attorney General Mike Cox and former Speaker of the state House Tom Leonard. Running as an independent allowed Duggan to avoid the Democratic primary, but he gave up access to the party's resources. He's well-known in Detroit and the surrounding areas but largely lacks statewide name recognition. Recent fundraising numbers showed Duggan was competitive with Benson, James and Nesbitt. Only Benson's campaign raised more than Duggan's, thanks to $1.1 million she transferred from her Secretary of State campaign account. National Democratic groups, though, are certain to prioritize the Michigan race and pour money in if needed. 'A lot of people in the state are fed up with a two party system,' Duggan said. 'And it's not going to change by electing another Republican or Democrat.'
Canada News.Net
an hour ago
- Canada News.Net
Analysts criticize U.S. tariff hikes for undermining global trade order
Many political leaders and analysts believe that the United States, to maximize unilateral interests, is using tariffs to pressure other economies into making concessions in trade agreements. BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. modified tariffs with dozens of its trading partners are set to take effect on Thursday, amid widespread concern across the globe that the new rates of levies, ranging from 10 percent to 40 percent, will harm the global trade order. Many political leaders and analysts believe that the United States, to maximize unilateral interests, is using tariffs to pressure other economies into making concessions in trade agreements. Under the new tariff measures, the basic tariff for goods entering the United States will remain at 10 percent. However, the 10 percent rate will only apply to countries with which the United States has a trade surplus. For countries with which the United States has a trade deficit, a 15 percent rate will serve as the new tariff floor. Still, for more than a dozen other countries, the tariff rates are higher than 15 percent. Last month, Trump imposed unilateral tariffs on imports from Brazil, Canada and India, with rates up to 50 percent. On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on imports from India in response to the country's purchases of Russian oil, according to a White House statement. The order, effective 21 days after the announcement, will bring the combined tariffs imposed by the United States on Indian goods to 50 percent. Similarly, Trump has increased the tariff on Canada from 25 percent to 35 percent and imposed an additional 40 percent tariff on Brazilian goods, bringing the total tariff to 50 percent. For those that have struck a trade deal with the United States, the clauses are far from being fair. On July 30, Trump announced a "full and complete" trade deal with South Korea, setting 15 percent tariffs on imports from the country. South Korea also agreed to invest 350 billion U.S. dollars in U.S.-owned projects and purchase 100 billion dollars of U.S. energy. On July 27, Trump announced a deal with the EU imposing a 15 percent tariff on EU goods, while U.S. strategic exports enjoy zero-tariff access. The EU pledged to buy 750 billion dollars in U.S. energy and invest an additional 600 billion dollars in the United States. On July 22, Trump said the United States had reached a deal with Japan, imposing a 15 percent tariff on Japanese goods. Japan will invest 550 billion dollars in the United States, which will receive 90 percent of the profits. Trump's handling of such trade deals and his use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on trading partners have sparked extensive criticism. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that the tariffs are a "trade war on the American people," and that there has been "chaos and uncertainty" and "no one knows what's coming when Donald Trump has no plan, no strategy, and he's not honest about what he presents." "Our businesses ... need some degree of certainty, and all they're getting is chaos and inflation. So the Trump tariff trade war is a trade war on the American people. We've seen this week the chaos and uncertainty," he said. In response to the EU's deal with the United States, German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil criticized the bloc's negotiating stance, saying it was "too weak" in talks over new tariffs. "I think we were too weak. We can't be satisfied with the result that was achieved," Klingbeil said on Monday. Meanwhile, India reacted sharply to the U.S. announcement of an additional 25 percent tariff on its imports, calling the move "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable," and declaring that New Delhi would take all actions necessary to protect its national interests. "The U.S. has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India," said Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal in an official statement. By erecting these extremely high tariff barriers and undermining and weakening the WTO, the Trump administration has seriously damaged the world trading system, said Time Magazine, adding that consequently, it might end up pushing the rest of the world away and sowing the seeds of America's own isolation and irrelevance.
