Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer communicate on the telephone for the primary time after US president’s inauguration – in 45-minute chat discussing Gaza and condolences for demise of PM’s brother

Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have spoken on the phone for the first time following the new US president’s inauguration. 

Mr Trump appeared to be trying to sooth relations between his administration and Labour today, as he claimed Keir Starmer has done a ‘very good job thus far’ as Prime Minister.

The new US president said he had a ‘very good relationship’ with the PM and hinted he could yet make Britain the destination of his first oversees trip in his second term in the White House. 

Sir Keir Starmer and President Trump ‘stressed the importance of the close and warm ties’ between their countries and ‘agreed to meet soon’ in a call on Sunday, Downing Street has said. 

Following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, a Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘President Trump opened by sending his condolences to the Prime Minister on the loss of his brother.

‘The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his kind words and congratulated him on his inauguration.

‘The Prime Minister paid tribute to President Trump’s role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza. 

‘The president welcomed the release of Emily Damari and sent his best wishes to her family. They discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East.

Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office on the day of his inauguration – he has hinted that the UK could be the destination of his first oversees trip 

Mr Starmer has actively tried to woo Mr Trump since Labour came to power in July last year, meeting him for several dinners

President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One en route to Florida

‘They also discussed trade and the economy, with the Prime Minister setting out how we are deregulating to boost growth.

‘The two leaders stressed the importance of the close and warm ties between the UK and the US, and the president spoke of his respect and affection for the royal family.

‘They agreed to meet soon and looked forward to further discussions then.’

Sir Keir and other senior Labour ministers have been engaged in a running battle with Elon Musk, the billionaire X owner and a senior ally of the president.

But Mr Trump appears to have thrown Sir Keir a diplomatic lifeline,  as he revealed he could make Britain the first foreign trip of his new presidency.

But overnight the president was asked about his own relationship with the prime minister.

‘I’ve met him already three times. He’s come over to see me twice. I have a call. He and I have a call over the next 24 hours,’ he said.

‘Now I get along with him, well, I like him a lot. He’s liberal, which is a little bit different for me, but I think he’s a very good person.

The new US president said he had a ‘very good relationship’ with the PM and hinted he could yet make Britain the destination of his first oversees trip after returning to the White House

Sir Keir and other senior Labour ministers have been engaged in a running battle with Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X and a senior ally of the president

‘I think he’s done a very good job thus far. He’s doing the job… but he’s represented his country in terms of his philosophy.’ 

This is a breaking story, updates to follow…