Trump drops first foreign trip hint – and it may lead to major Keir Starmer snub

Donald Trump has dropped a hint as to which country he is set to visit first during his second term as US President.

Mr Trump took the Presidential oath once again on Monday, January 20, as he was inaugurated at the Capitol in Washington DC.

Sir Keir Starmer released a video congratulating the new occupant of the White House. The Prime Minister said: “The special relationship between the UK and the US will continue to flourish for years to come.”

Mr Trump answered questions from reporters while signing a pile of executive orders yesterday afternoon.

Among other questions, he was asked where his first overseas visit would be in his second term.

The President said: “So, first foreign trip typically has been with [the] UK. But we did it, I did it with Saudi Arabia last time because they agreed to buy $450billion worth of our product.

“I said, ‘I’ll do it. But you have to buy American product.’ And they agreed to do that. They bought 450 billion; it was the least reported story I’ve ever been involved in.”

The President was then asked where he plans on going this time. He said: “Well, I don’t know. If Saudi Arabia wants to buy another 450, or 500, we’ll up it for all the inflation, I think I’d probably go there.”

In May 2017, Mr Trump held a series of meetings with Saudi King Salman and other Arab and Muslim leaders, before he flew to Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, the Vatican, Belgium and Italy.

This comprised a nine-day tour across the Middle East and Europe.

It has been reported that Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the only EU leader to be invited to Mr Trump’s inauguration.

Sir Keir did not attend, but the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy has said that the PM will meet with the President in Washington “within weeks”.