Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that the global instability caused by the Iran war means Britain should pivot to focusing on closer economic and defence ties with Europe, following repeated criticism from US President Donald Trump.
Starmer said building stronger relations with Europe would be at the centre of a summit with the European Union in the summer, as he warned the consequences of the Iran war would last for a generation.
“It is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe,” Starmer told reporters at a press conference in Downing Street.
Trump has repeatedly insulted Starmer, calling him cowardly because of his unwillingness to join the U.S. war on Iran, saying he was “No Winston Churchill” and describing Britain’s aircraft carriers as “toys”.
In a sign that British foreign policy was shifting away from the United States, traditionally its closest ally, Starmer said he saw his country’s future being more aligned with Europe.
After Trump was elected as president for a second term in 2024, Starmer tried to position himself as a conduit between Europe and the United States.
But their relationship has publicly deteriorated over the Iran war.
Starmer initially denied a request from the US to attack Iran from two British bases, but later agreed to allow what he calls defensive missions aimed at protecting residents of the region, including British citizens.
