CHEQUERS, Buckinghamshire — President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Keir Starmer that Britain should call in the military to stop migrant boats crossing the Channel, warning that illegal immigration could 'destroy countries from within' if left unchecked.
During a joint press conference that closed a two‑day state visit, Trump said Britain's border crisis was 'very similar' to the United States', urging tougher action and arguing that he would stop the flow of migrants by any means necessary. Starmer said Labour is taking the crisis seriously and noted progress under a new 'one in, one out' policy, including the return of the first migrant to France on Thursday after more than 30,000 arrivals this year.
Trump pressed Starmer to scale back Labour’s Net Zero targets and to back oil and gas development, telling him to 'drill, baby, drill' and calling wind farms a 'disaster' and an 'expensive joke.' Starmer defended the UK’s plan to mix fossil fuels with renewables to keep energy bills down, while acknowledging growing energy demand that could challenge supplies.
They also discussed the North Sea as a major energy asset and the need to ensure security, with the prime minister emphasizing that the UK would continue to use oil and gas for many years to come while pursuing renewables in tandem.
On foreign policy, Trump criticized Starmer’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state, saying it would not help secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Starmer said recognition is part of a process that could eventually lead to a two‑state solution, with Hamas excluded from governance.
A technology deal signed during the visit is expected to bring about about £150 billion of investment into the UK’s AI infrastructure, though officials provided few details on concessions in return.
Trump also signaled that sanctions could follow if Vladimir Putin does not engage in peace talks, urging European states to stop buying Russian oil and gas and suggesting that some energy relationships in Europe may need reevaluation in light of the Ukraine conflict.
The Mandelson question arose at the end of the press conference, with Trump saying he does not know Lord Mandelson, while Starmer noted that information about the former EU official had come to light and he acted on it. The exchange reflected sensitivities surrounding Epstein-related fallout and admissions within the government.
In the lead‑up to the visit, officials pressed the White House to deliver on a May pledge to cut tariffs on British steel exports to zero. That promise was later narrowed to a cap of no more than 25 percent, and Downing Street said it was not clear whether the final deal had been executed.
The two leaders spent about 45 minutes in one‑to‑one talks at Chequers, followed by broader discussions on Ukraine and the Middle East. The visit included a state dinner at Windsor Castle and public displays of camaraderie between the leaders during the trip, which closed with Trump’s departure for a final stage of the state visit.
Overall, the visit underscored a deeply aligned transatlantic relationship on security and technology, even as disagreements persisted on immigration policy, climate strategy and the path toward Palestinian statehood. The two leaders’ exchanges reflected the fragility and strength of the US‑UK alliance amid a busy political calendar and global geopolitical tensions.