Starmer Says He's 'Fed Up' With Trump as Europe Splinters From U.S. Over Iran War
· Time
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he is “fed up” with people in the U.K. encountering economic instability due to the actions of President Donald Trump.
"I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses' bills go up and down on energy, because of the actions of [Russia’s President Vladimir] Putin or Trump across the world," he said in an interview with ITV.
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Starmer emphasized the need for greater energy resilience and independence, arguing that the people of the U.K. shouldn’t have to be subjected to the “international market,” nor should they be “paying” for a war the country is not actively involved in.
The Prime Minister went further in an opinion piece for the Guardian Thursday, during which he said the Iran war must serve as a warning for Britain to “build resilience” at home and with allies in Europe.
“Throughout this conflict, I have been guided by the principle that Britain’s national interest is best served by de-escalation, diplomacy, and the swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” he urged.
Starmer arrived in Qatar Friday to round-off his three-day visit to the Gulf states, where he participated in talks on how to best reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran continues its hold over the critical maritime chokepoint despite the temporary cease-fire.
Talking to reporters, Starmer emphasized the importance of regional involvement in the unblocking of the waterway and relayed his conversation with Trump from the night before.
"I had a discussion with President Trump last night and set out to him the views of the region here, these Gulf states are the neighbours of Iran, and therefore, if the ceasefire is to hold, and we hope it will, it has to involve them,” he said.
Trump issued fresh criticism of Iran’s handling of the Strait late Thursday. Responding to reports that Tehran may be charging tolls for passage, he said: “They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now.”
Meanwhile, when asked about Trump's threats to pull the U.S. out of NATO, Starmer again highlighted the U.K.’s utmost support for the alliance and argued it’s “in America’s interest” to maintain its membership.
The Iran war has caused significant strain on what is often referred to as the “special relationship” between the U.K. and U.S.
Starmer’s refusal to become actively involved in the war, and his initial hesitation in allowing the U.S. to access U.K. bases for strikes, has earned him public rebuke from Trump.
Speaking during a White House Easter event on April 1, Trump mocked Starmer for allegedly saying he needed to “ask” his team when approached about sending British ships to the Middle East.
But it’s not only the U.K. and U.S. relationship that has shifted since the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28.
Other European leaders have also distanced themselves from Trump, urging for restraint and a permanent end to the conflict, even at times when the U.S. President threatened escalation.
They have voiced grave concern over the instability of the global economy as oil and gas prices have surged at various points due to transits via the Strait of Hormuz coming to a virtual halt.
Trump’s threat to pull the U.S. out of NATO, and his condemnation of nations who refused to become active participants of the war, has also tested the Europe-U.S. alliance.
European leaders welcomed news of the temporary cease-fire being agreed upon earlier this week, but some reaffirmed their criticism of how the war unfolded in the first place.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen struck a cautious tone.
“Is the world a better place today than yesterday? Undoubtedly. Than 40 days ago? More than doubtful,” he said.
Kaja Kallas, the European Commission’s high representative for foreign affairs, described the cease-fire as a “step back from the brink” after weeks of escalation.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a vocal critic of the Iran war, reflected on the damage inflicted by the conflict.
“Cease-fires are always good news. Especially if they lead to a just and lasting peace. But this momentary relief cannot make us forget the chaos, the destruction, and the lives lost,” he said
“The Government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket. What’s needed now: diplomacy, international legality, and peace.”
Sánchez notably refused to allow the American military access to Spanish airbases, turning down requests early on, and in late March, Spain closed its airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in the Iran war.
Trump has also been criticized for his rhetoric during the conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron—who has previously enjoyed a strong working relationship with the U.S. President, urged Trump to take a more “serious” approach to the war and its surrounding discourse.
"This is not a show. We are talking about war and peace and the lives of men and women," he told reporters in South Korea last week during a state visit.
"When you want to be serious, you don't say every day the opposite of what you said the day before," he argued. "And maybe you shouldn't be speaking every day. You should just let things quieten down."