Coco Kahn

I have to go into training every morning waking up like... Rocky music. Today, Coco, you are not going to let her hang up on you. You're going to phone at 8am. You're going to sit in that queue. You're going to press every option on the telephone menu until you get a human being. I'm very impressed.

Now, as we record on Wednesday, Starmer will be heading to Washington tomorrow for his first visit to the White House for the biggest test yet, really, of Starmer's diplomatic and negotiating skills. So, Zoe, what's the meeting going to be about?

Now, as we record on Wednesday, Starmer will be heading to Washington tomorrow for his first visit to the White House for the biggest test yet, really, of Starmer's diplomatic and negotiating skills. So, Zoe, what's the meeting going to be about?

Well, because Trump has been saying for a while that he wants NATO allies to spend more. And in effect, he got his wish. OK, it's not the amount that Trump wanted, but it's some move towards it. Do you think that will be enough to placate him?

Well, because Trump has been saying for a while that he wants NATO allies to spend more. And in effect, he got his wish. OK, it's not the amount that Trump wanted, but it's some move towards it. Do you think that will be enough to placate him?

Do you think the fact they chose the foreign aid budget rather than domestic budgets was because they know that they would be extremely unpopular? I've got a little statistic here that says that, you know, a YouGov poll found that 50% of Britain support an increase in defence spending.

Do you think the fact they chose the foreign aid budget rather than domestic budgets was because they know that they would be extremely unpopular? I've got a little statistic here that says that, you know, a YouGov poll found that 50% of Britain support an increase in defence spending.

But when asked what was more important, defence spending or public services spending, just 30% said it is more important to increase spending on defence. Hmm.

But when asked what was more important, defence spending or public services spending, just 30% said it is more important to increase spending on defence. Hmm.

You know, when you look at what the foreign aid budget goes towards, yes, of course, there's subjects and projects that are, I would say, a question of ethics and morality, particularly in terms of refugees and asylum seekers. But it is also a form of soft power. Interestingly, David Lammy, when Donald Trump announced his cuts, he called it a strategic mistake, which is kind of strange.

You know, when you look at what the foreign aid budget goes towards, yes, of course, there's subjects and projects that are, I would say, a question of ethics and morality, particularly in terms of refugees and asylum seekers. But it is also a form of soft power. Interestingly, David Lammy, when Donald Trump announced his cuts, he called it a strategic mistake, which is kind of strange.

It was only a couple of weeks ago that he said that. So It's a bit of an awkward situation for the foreign secretary. I mean, he argued at the time that it would allow China to fill the gap and extend its influence. I mean, that is surely still a concern.

It was only a couple of weeks ago that he said that. So It's a bit of an awkward situation for the foreign secretary. I mean, he argued at the time that it would allow China to fill the gap and extend its influence. I mean, that is surely still a concern.

No, definitely. And I do want to also just flag quickly that ActionAid, a charity that works with women and girls living in poverty, described Sir Keir's decision to slash the aid budget as reckless. And I think as two women, I think we should definitely shout that out. So now look, on to the meeting with Trump. Starmer will certainly be taking notes from the French president, Emmanuel Macron.

No, definitely. And I do want to also just flag quickly that ActionAid, a charity that works with women and girls living in poverty, described Sir Keir's decision to slash the aid budget as reckless. And I think as two women, I think we should definitely shout that out. So now look, on to the meeting with Trump. Starmer will certainly be taking notes from the French president, Emmanuel Macron.

He struck the balance between flattery and gentle resistance. The meeting began with an absolute death grip handshake. Here's a clip from ABC News. Okay, so we're watching them meet. They're patting each other on the arm. And now we've got the handshake. Still shaking. We're still shaking. Oh, no, we're not letting go.

He struck the balance between flattery and gentle resistance. The meeting began with an absolute death grip handshake. Here's a clip from ABC News. Okay, so we're watching them meet. They're patting each other on the arm. And now we've got the handshake. Still shaking. We're still shaking. Oh, no, we're not letting go.

We're looking at the camera.

We're looking at the camera.

Do you think that hurts? Who will break first? Oh, was it Donald? Was it Emmanuel? It's so hard to tell.