Rob Watson

So mood music, yes, it was clearly pretty good. The chemistry between the two men, pretty good. But whether it's on Ukraine, whether it's about the long-term security relationship between the United States and European countries like Britain, whether it's about tariffs, not just on the U.K., but on the European Union.

So mood music, yes, it was clearly pretty good. The chemistry between the two men, pretty good. But whether it's on Ukraine, whether it's about the long-term security relationship between the United States and European countries like Britain, whether it's about tariffs, not just on the U.K., but on the European Union.

I mean, in a way, it all depends on what happens next, because one of the things that's really, if you like, marked out this moment as being different is that the Americans and the Europeans have had their ups and downs over the years over security. One thinks of the Vietnam War or the war in Iraq.

I mean, in a way, it all depends on what happens next, because one of the things that's really, if you like, marked out this moment as being different is that the Americans and the Europeans have had their ups and downs over the years over security. One thinks of the Vietnam War or the war in Iraq.

But what really marks this moment out is disagreements over security, Russia, Ukraine, but also the economics as well with tariffs. So it depends on what happens next.

But what really marks this moment out is disagreements over security, Russia, Ukraine, but also the economics as well with tariffs. So it depends on what happens next.

Yes, well, it may be that all these kind of complex geopolitical issues, we're not going to know exactly what's going on for several weeks, months, maybe years to come, Jackie. But actually, on that one, you didn't need a crystal ball. Donald Trump was obviously clearly delighted. The Brits knew he was going to be delighted.

Yes, well, it may be that all these kind of complex geopolitical issues, we're not going to know exactly what's going on for several weeks, months, maybe years to come, Jackie. But actually, on that one, you didn't need a crystal ball. Donald Trump was obviously clearly delighted. The Brits knew he was going to be delighted.

And he's going to be coming for a state visit, the first person to get two state visits. I mean, he looked like he'd won the lottery.

And he's going to be coming for a state visit, the first person to get two state visits. I mean, he looked like he'd won the lottery.

I don't think there's any doubt, although Keir Starmer made the argument that what had really got the ball rolling was Russia's invasion of Ukraine three years ago, that this is all about being able to go to Washington and say to Donald Trump on Thursday, look, we Europeans, including we in the UK, we get it. We get the idea that you think that we should be spending more on our own security.

I don't think there's any doubt, although Keir Starmer made the argument that what had really got the ball rolling was Russia's invasion of Ukraine three years ago, that this is all about being able to go to Washington and say to Donald Trump on Thursday, look, we Europeans, including we in the UK, we get it. We get the idea that you think that we should be spending more on our own security.

And in return, of course, Sakhir Starmer and other European leaders want Donald Trump to think again about the wisdom of doing a quick deal with President Putin. And of course, they want him to continue to support Ukraine. I thought the tone was fascinating in the sense that he continued to stress on several occasions the importance of the UK's relationship with the United States.

And in return, of course, Sakhir Starmer and other European leaders want Donald Trump to think again about the wisdom of doing a quick deal with President Putin. And of course, they want him to continue to support Ukraine. I thought the tone was fascinating in the sense that he continued to stress on several occasions the importance of the UK's relationship with the United States.

Indeed, he said at one point that he hoped to deepen it after seeing President Trump. And what I take from that is this idea, and it doesn't just apply to Keir Starmer, but I think to other European leaders, that they're hoping upon hope upon hope, despite the signals, that somehow they can salvage that post-1945,

Indeed, he said at one point that he hoped to deepen it after seeing President Trump. And what I take from that is this idea, and it doesn't just apply to Keir Starmer, but I think to other European leaders, that they're hoping upon hope upon hope, despite the signals, that somehow they can salvage that post-1945,

transatlantic alliance between the United States and European countries, which has essentially dominated European and world security since the end of World War Two. In other words, they haven't given up on it. They don't want to confront Donald Trump. They want to try and somehow, how could I put this, sort of soothe him to persuade him rather than to just give up and say, right, it's all over.

transatlantic alliance between the United States and European countries, which has essentially dominated European and world security since the end of World War Two. In other words, they haven't given up on it. They don't want to confront Donald Trump. They want to try and somehow, how could I put this, sort of soothe him to persuade him rather than to just give up and say, right, it's all over.

The world has changed.

The world has changed.