UK PM Starmer is making his first foreign trip to Washington

The newly elected UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is set to embark on his inaugural international trip to Washington this week. This comes shortly after his resounding election win and assumption of office.

Keir Starmer, aged 61, is set to make his first foreign trip as the leader of  Britain, attending NATO's 75th anniversary summit in the US capital.

In his upcoming address, Prime Minister Starmer will underscore the profound importance of Britain's steadfast commitment to the Western military alliance and the ongoing struggle of Ukraine against Russian aggression. This emphasis will serve to reassure our international allies of the UK's unwavering support

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This visit sets in motion a flurry of international diplomacy in Starmer's first two weeks in power. It also paves the way for potentially fruitful discussions with US and EU leaders, offering a glimpse of the promising future of UK's diplomatic relations.

The previous Conservative government of Britain had been a strong supporter of Ukraine, offering financial aid, weapons, and military training to assist in its defense against Russia's invasion.

Starmer has expressed his commitment to supporting Kyiv while representing the Labour Party. He is anticipated to reiterate this stance directly to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting at the NATO conference.

Starmer's Defence Secretary John Healey traveled to Ukraine following last Thursday's election while Foreign Secretary David Lammy engaged with European NATO members.

Labour has expressed its unwavering commitment to the alliance and aims to match the Conservatives' pledge of increasing defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP, which surpasses the NATO target of two percent. This commitment ensures the UK's robust defense and security.

"There will likely be extensive discussions surrounding the concept of 'business as usual,'" commented Strong, a Queen Mary University of London lecturer.

Starmer's focus on foreign policy will emphasize maintaining continuity while highlighting the need to repair strained relationships with allies due to Brexit.

Labour has expressed its commitment to fostering more vital collaboration with European neighbors through individual agreements with France and Germany and broader partnerships with the EU.

Special relationship

"There will likely be extensive discussions on enhancing relations, fostering greater reliability as a partner, and most importantly, ensuring stability and predictability," Strong commented.

The trip offers an early chance for Starmer to establish a connection with US President Joe Biden and solidify the renowned UK-US special relationship.

Starmer's political ideology leans towards the center-left. The Labour Party's alignment with Biden's Democratic Party could be advantageous, although the trip's timing is delicate for the US president.

There is mounting pressure on Biden, who is 81 years old, to step aside and give another Democrat the opportunity to challenge Republican opponent Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election in November.

Starmer will need to consider the possibility of navigating the Trump administration's policies, which have shown a tendency towards isolationism, starting in January of next year.

"(He) aims to showcase his unwavering dedication to the UK's alliance with America and to convey a powerful message regarding the durability of the 'special relationship,' regardless of future uncertainties," said Sophia Gaston, head of foreign policy at the right-wing Policy Exchange think-tank.

Starmer and Biden may find themselves at odds over the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, as Labour is perceived to have a more pro-Palestinian stance compared to Washington.

The leaders are expected to delve into discussions on policy toward China, covering areas such as trade, commerce, and technology.

Starmer is set to host the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace, located near Oxford in central England, on July 18. The event is expected to be attended by France's President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's leader, Olaf Scholz.

Labor calls for a security pact with the European Union characterized by ambition.

According to Olivia O'Sullivan, director of the UK in the world program at the Chatham House international affairs think-tank, the upcoming summits offer a chance to further develop and expand upon this proposal.

Starmer should provide more details about the structure of a trading agreement after Brexit following his recent exposure to international affairs during his visit to Washington.