Mr Trump’s decision to open talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin alarmed European leaders who are concerned Ukraine will be sidelined in the negotiations and could be forced to concede too much in the US president’s rush to strike a deal.
Issues including the future of Ukraine, trade tariffs and the proposed deal on the Chagos Islands – including the joint US-UK Diego Garcia base – are all potential bear traps for the Prime Minister in his talks with the US President.
Unlike other world leaders – such as the extrovert French President Emmanuel Macron who was in Washington on Monday – talks between Sir Keir and Mr Trump will probably involve fewer theatrics and grandstanding.
Allies of Sir Keir believe the relationship allows the Prime Minister to have tricky conversations with Mr Trump without running the risk of antagonising him.
The proposed deal would see the UK lease back the base at taxpayers’ expense for a period of at least 99 years, but the situation has caused alarm among some in the Trump camp, including secretary of state Marco Rubio.
