Trump and Starmer to Discuss Trade and Gaza Cease-Fire in Scotland
U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland on July 31, 2023, to discuss urgent issues surrounding trade and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The meeting is set to take place at Trump’s golf course in Turnberry, where he recently announced a new trade agreement with the European Union.
According to a statement from 10 Downing Street, the leaders will engage in “wide-ranging” discussions, including the implementation of the Economic Prosperity Deal signed on May 8, 2023. This deal officially came into effect last month and aims to strengthen trade relations between the United States and the United Kingdom.
A significant portion of the talks will focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Starmer is expected to urge Trump to take decisive actions for an immediate cease-fire. He plans to address the urgent need to alleviate the suffering and starvation affecting civilians in the region, as well as the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Since resuming his presidency in January, Trump has faced challenges in negotiating a cease-fire between Hamas, the Iran-backed militia, and Israel. Recent developments have seen Israel and the United States recalling their negotiators from discussions with Hamas, which had initially offered some hope for a resolution. Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, attributed the breakdown to Hamas’s reluctance to engage in meaningful negotiations.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen, with aid organizations raising alarms over increasing starvation rates. According to the charity Save the Children, at least 133 individuals, including 87 children, have succumbed to malnutrition and starvation. As international pressure mounts on Israel regarding its military actions and restrictions on aid delivery, Israel announced a limited tactical pause in hostilities on Sunday. This pause allows for humanitarian aid to be delivered from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.
In a joint statement, Britain joined 29 other nations in condemning Israel’s approach to aid distribution, calling it “dangerous” and detrimental to the dignity of Gazans. The nations emphasized that the denial of essential humanitarian assistance violates international humanitarian law and called for an end to the conflict through an immediate cease-fire.
In addition to the situation in Gaza, Trump and Starmer are expected to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. Following their meeting, the leaders will participate in a private engagement in Aberdeen.
This meeting precedes Trump’s upcoming State Visit to the United Kingdom, hosted by King Charles III, scheduled for September 17-19, 2023. This will mark Trump’s second State Visit to the UK, following his 2019 visit during which he was welcomed by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
