Trump Urges Starmer to Deploy Military to Curb Illegal Channel Crossings as UKUS Relations Evolve

President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, declaring that illegal immigration is eroding Britain ‘from within’ and suggesting the use of military force to curb small boat crossings in the English Channel. At a joint press conference following Trump’s two day state visit, the US President drew parallels between the current UK crisis and the situation he faced upon entering the White House, claiming drastic measures were essential to restore control.

Trump advised Starmer to consider deploying the armed forces to prevent illegal migration, arguing that all means should be utilised to protect national integrity. This bold endorsement of militarised border enforcement comes at a moment of heightened political pressure for the Labour leader. Recent domestic turmoil and the surging popularity of the Reform UK party have spotlighted migration as a pivotal issue.

Despite Trump’s calls, current British policy remains committed to international cooperation. The Prime Minister outlined renewed arrangements with French President Emmanuel Macron, relying on a reciprocal system to deport asylum seekers with failed claims back to France, while still permitting valid applicants ingress into the UK. While Starmer maintains this bilateral strategy will ‘ramp up deterrence,’ questions persist over its efficacy as a standalone measure.

During the visit, Trump expressed apprehensions regarding Britain’s consideration of Palestinian statehood recognition, labelling it as an area of rare discord between the allies. He went on to laud joint US UK initiatives in artificial intelligence, previewing new partnerships designed to help both countries dominate future technological advances.

Trade also emerged as a central theme, with the US President describing ongoing negotiations as likely to yield a mutually beneficial agreement. Trump’s optimism suggested a willingness to deepen economic ties, though his chief of staff reaffirmed the primacy of America’s interests in any accord.

Trump rounded off the visit by reiterating the need for Britain to maximise North Sea oil and gas resources instead of an exclusive focus on wind energy, describing renewables as comparatively expensive. Starmer responded by insisting on the necessity of a diversified energy portfolio to achieve lower costs for British consumers.

Starmer’s government, while receptive to international collaboration, rejected the prospect of deploying the military for direct migrant pushbacks, citing legal and humanitarian concerns. The Ministry of Defence has previously voiced discomfort with such proposals, highlighting potential dangers and the risk of loss of life in the Channel’s hazardous conditions.

Trump departed the UK emphasising the enduring strength of Anglo American relations and the importance of robust action on issues from border security to energy strategy. Following the visit, the domestic debate surrounding migration and energy policy remains at the forefront of financial and political discourse.