In June 2019, Sir Keir Starmer wrote about his two least favorite people in world politics: “A Donald Trump backer tells you all you need to know about what’s wrong with Boris’s politics Johnson and why he is not fit to be Prime Minister. minister.”

The same month, again, he railed: “Humanity and dignity. Two words not understood by President Trump.”

At the time, Theresa May was Prime Minister, Jeremy Corbyn led the Labor Party and Sir Keir was already discussing the possibility of seizing the crown if his party lost the election.

His tweets were therefore intended as a harmless gesture aimed at boosting his appeal to Labor supporters who might unite around a common political enemy.

Needless to say, they were not expected to leave a lasting diplomatic legacy.

As if that wasn’t embarrassing enough…

Sir Keir’s current Foreign Secretary was even less diplomatic. In 2017, David Lammy – who did not live under the Corbyn era and was not constrained by the restrictions imposed by the prime ministers – said Trump was promoting a “fascist, racist, extremist hate group”.

Speaking directly to the then-president, Lammy intoned: “You are not welcome in my country and my city. »

These two men must now hope that these outbursts will be long forgotten and that they will be able to work with one of the most capricious, unpredictable and vain politicians on the planet.

Repairing this breach has been one of Lammy’s main tasks since he was appointed Shadow Foreign Secretary in November 2021.

Repair relationships

Having spent his childhood summers in New York before attending Harvard Law School, Lammy is no stranger to American politics. He ran at least five times in opposition, favoring relations with the Republicans.

His Republican directory now includes Robert O’Brien, the fourth and final national security adviser of the first Trump presidency; Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state; and Elbridge Colby, who could move into the Department of Defense or security after Trump returns to power.

Such has been Lammy’s success in winning over Colby, a China hawk who you would think would have a natural affinity with the Tories, that he recently gave a remarkable interview to the Telegraph which suggests real progress has been made.

“I was struck by the fact that Lammy made a real effort to reach out to conservatives and the new right in the United States,” Colby said. “I like what I’m hearing from Lammy and (Defense Secretary John) Healey.”

As for Lammy’s past comments, they have been excused.

“Gesture of friendship”

Then there’s Trump’s pick for vice president, JD Vance. Lammy first met him long before Trump was chosen as number two. Ironically, they were both once Trump critics, bonding over their respective books, growing up in tough places, and being lawyers.

The challenge will be to leverage that bond into something more meaningful when the most unpredictable character returns to the White House in January, but the past two months have shown how unpredictable relationships are likely to be.

The highlight was a two-hour dinner at Trump Tower in September with Trump, Starmer and Lammy, which a British official said was seen as a “gesture of friendship.”

The lowest point was the publicity surrounding Labor’s campaign effort for Democrats, involving dozens of party figures trying to prevent Trump’s victory, an effort weaponized by the candidate himself with his campaign pursuing legal action.

What happens next?

However, global issues – and the impact of US domestic politics – could further deteriorate global relations.

Much thought has been given to how the UK and EU countries will respond to possible threats to NATO and Trump’s stance on Ukraine.

In Whitehall, they are clinging to the idea that Trump’s love of negotiations could mean he will pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin rather than simply walk away.

Where the UK feels less prepared is in the looming trade war, with Trump threatening to impose 10% tariffs on goods imported into the US.

Manufacturers have pleaded with trade ministers to take the threat seriously, while some Labor MPs believe a Trump victory would mean a major blow to GDP growth.

Economic and global turmoil never comes with a cost, but the Starmer government hopes it has done everything practically possible to provide a modicum of insulation.

They will soon know if it works.