The significance of Cameron’s meeting with Trump extended beyond Ukraine | US News
Imagine being a fly on the wall during David Cameron’s meeting with Donald Trump.
Initially, the focus was on Ukraine, as Cameron sought to address issues on Capitol Hill concerning Ukraine funding with the help of Trump.
Politics latest: Trump reveals details of meeting with Cameron
The attention from media outlets centered on the awkwardness of the visit due to Cameron’s past criticisms of the former president.
However, this trip to Florida by the Foreign Secretary en route to Washington DC served another purpose.
It was a strategic move by the British government to establish strong connections with Team Trump.
Pic: Reuters
In 2016, when Donald Trump first won the presidency, the British government had expected Hillary Clinton to win. This left them unprepared for a Trump victory.
David Cameron, being one of the most experienced British politicians and the Foreign Secretary at the time, took the opportunity to assess what Trump’s presidency might entail.
The meeting was described as “warm and productive” by a source. They discussed various topics and the strength of UK-US relations.
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While Team Trump has connections with conservative Britain, they are not aligned with the current government.
Trump has close ties with Nigel Farage, as shown by the birthday message from Trump to Farage on his 60th birthday.
There are also connections between Trump and Liz Truss.
The British diplomats working behind the scenes recognize the importance of engaging with Trump and his administration.
Team Trump does have good connections with conservative Britain, but not the part currently in government. File pic: AP
Trump is no longer an inexperienced politician. He thrives on unpredictability, and it’s crucial to establish a relationship now.
Foreign diplomats in Washington are divided between those who fear a turbulent Trump 2.0 and those who see his accomplishments in office and believe he is not a destabilizing force.
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Cameron’s visit to Trump indicates Britain’s current stance: prioritizing pragmatic diplomacy over panic.
After a leaked diplomatic scandal involving the former president, Trump expelled Britain’s previous ambassador to Washington, Sir Kim Darroch.
The British diplomatic service, regardless of the government in power, aims to maximize their position for dealing with Trump 2.0 if it materializes.
