Britain’s prime minister is potentially one of the European leaders best placed to handle the mercurial president

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Keir Starmer’s meeting with Donald Trump this week comes at a crucial moment for the war in Ukraine and the future of the Nato alliance. Europe is looking for leaders who can engage Trump in the future of the continent as the US leader appears more inclined to demand tribute from his allies and cosy up to the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin.

Can the “special relationship” between the US and the UK save the day? Or has the era of transatlantic cooperation ended in the era of America First? Starmer has already established a friendly rapport with Trump and comes bearing promises to raise defense spending and negotiate on trade, but can that overcome Trump’s impulse to abandon Europe and to strike a deal with Russia to end the war as quickly as possible?