Keir Starmer recounted how he swiftly picked up papers dropped by Donald Trump during their encounter at the G7 summit in Canada. His intention was to prevent anyone else from stepping forward and potentially facing the US president’s security detail.
Speaking to reporters in Kananaskis, Starmer noted the strict security protocols surrounding the president, which made it imperative for him to act. “There weren’t many choices with the documents and picking it up,” Starmer explained. “As you probably know, there are quite strict rules about who can get close to the president. It wouldn’t have been good for anybody else to have stepped forward.”
The incident occurred when Trump inadvertently dropped documents related to a UK-US trade deal and mistakenly announced he had made an agreement with the EU instead. Despite the mix-up, Starmer remarked on Trump’s overall demeanor, stating, “No, he was in good form yesterday,” and noted their extensive discussions during the summit.
Starmer reflected on their relationship, emphasizing the longstanding ties between the UK and the US. He expressed satisfaction with the rapport he has fostered with Trump, underscoring its significance for national interests. “I think we do have a good relationship, and frankly, there has long been a close relationship between the US and UK, especially in defense and intelligence sharing,” he stated.
The exchange highlights the sometimes unpredictable nature of high-level diplomatic interactions, especially when occurring in such secure environments. Nevertheless, the strong bond between the UK and US leaders remains a focal point of international relations.