“Whatever it takes” Trump pressures the UK to use military force against Channel migrants while accusing Starmer of letting a national disaster unfold

DONALD Trump yesterday told Sir Keir Starmer to “do whatever it takes” to stop boat crossings, including calling in the military.

Speaking at their Chequers summit he disagreed with the PM’s decision to recognise the state of Palestine and pursuit of Net Zero.

But Mr Trump praised Sir Keir for doing a “good job” after being wooed with more pomp and ceremony to end his two-day State visit.

Yesterday’s talks came as the first Channel migrant, an Indian national, was returned to France under Labour’s “one in, one out” deal.

The limited pilot scheme has been criticised by the Tories and Reform UK as a means of ending the boats saga, given the record numbers flooding into Britain.

Mr Trump has claimed victory in wrestling down illegal border crossings from Mexico after a series of curbs and deportations.

Asked by The Sun what his advice was for Sir Keir in tackling the migration crisis, the President said: “What I saw happening, with millions of people pouring into our country, I couldn’t stand to watch it, and we’ve done a great job.”

He added: “The last three months we had zero — from millions of people a year ago, we had zero people enter our country illegally.”

Standing alongside the PM, he added: “Your situation is very similar. You have people coming in and I told the Prime Minister I would stop it, and it doesn’t matter if you call out the military, it doesn’t matter what means you use.

“It destroys countries from within and we’re actually now removing a lot of the people that came into our country.”

Labour peer Lord Glasman has been among Brits urging Sir Keir to send in the Navy.

Some 31,000 boat migrants have crossed so far this year.

It is the earliest point in a calendar year this figure has been passed since records began in 2018 — roughly up 41 per cent on the same stage last year and 42 per cent higher than in 2023.

Sir Keir said the migrant flight to France was an important first step, adding “there is no silver bullet” to sorting the problem.

The High Court also heard yesterday that a second man is set to be deported today.

Mr Trump used the 60-minute news conference — attended by First Lady Melania, the PM’s wife Victoria, and several of his US Cabinet — to tell Sir Keir that he needed to make use of North Sea oil and gas to help bring down prices.

The Government has ruled out new licences in the North Sea as they turn their attention to renewables and nuclear.

Mr Trump said: “We had the worst inflation in the history of our country and we had an expression that I used a lot: Drill, 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦, drill.

“And as you know, we brought fuel way down. And we don’t do wind because wind is a disaster. It’s an expensive joke, frankly.

“Now we have very little inflation and a very, very strong economy. So that was very important: Drill, 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦, drill.

“And you have a great asset here . . . it’s called the North Sea. The North Sea oil is phenomenal.”

The pair may be friends but Mr Trump admitted he has a “disagreement” on Sir Keir’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in New York this month.

The PM said it was “part of that overall package which hopefully takes us from the appalling situation we’re in now to the outcome of a safe and secure Israel, which we do not have, and a viable Palestinian state”.

Jewish groups have said the recognition is seen by terror group Hamas as reward for its violence.

Mr Trump also admitted he has been “let down” by Russian President Vladimir Putin as peace talks stall over the Ukraine War.

He said: “I’m very honoured to tell you that we’ve solved seven wars, wars that were unsolvable, wars that couldn’t be negotiated or done, the US has done seven.

“The one that I thought would be easiest would be because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down.

“He’s really let me down. Was going to be Russia and Ukraine, but we’ll see how that turns out.”

The President also attempted to sidestep the issue of sacked UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson over his links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Despite photos of him and Mandelson shaking hands in the Oval Office, Mr Trump claimed: “I don’t know him actually.”

Mr Trump and the PM also agreed a tech deal to “dominate” the world of artificial intelligence.

Firms have committed £150billion in the UK and co-operation on nuclear power schemes.

The Trumps were later taken by helicopter to Stansted where Air Force One flew them home.

Flashpoints for Starmer

Gaza

BRITAIN recognising Palestine was acknowledged by Mr Trump as “one of our few disagreements”.

Sir Keir framed recognition as being part of a wider bid to achieve peace – something the US president has said he also wants.

The PM also emphasised that terrorists Hamas can play no part in Gaza, prompting a pat on the back from Mr Trump.

Mandelson

THE two leaders helped each other when pressed on the firing of Lord Mandelson and the president’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Trump said he did not know the ex-ambassador.

The PM, avoiding talk of close ties between the trio, said: “Information came to light which wasn’t available when he was appointed and I made a decision.”

Free speech

THE PM’s definitive response to questions about the UK suppressing social media freedoms dampened any chance of a row.

Asked about cops arresting Brits over posts on the internet, Sir Keir paid tribute to Republican activist Charlie Kirk.

The PM also called free speech “one of the founding values of the UK and we protect it fiercely”.

Putin

THE president moved a significant step closer to Sir Keir on the Ukraine war, in what will be seen as a major diplomatic win for the PM.

Where Mr Trump has previously urged patience and dialogue with the Russian tyrant, he conceded “he has let me down, he’s 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing many people”.

However Mr Trump did not confirm further sanctions.