In brief
During a recent joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Donald Trump proposed that military intervention could be a viable option for managing illegal migration into the UK. This statement followed discussions on migration issues at Chequers, where Trump emphasized similarities in border challenges faced by both nations. The conference also highlighted a tech prosperity deal aimed at enhancing cooperation in artificial intelligence and other technologies between the US and UK. Significant topics included immigration, Palestinian statehood, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Donald Trump suggested Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could use the military to stop illegal migration at a news conference marking the end of the US president's second state visit to the UK.
Trump said he discussed migration issues with Sir Keir during a meeting at his country residence Chequers.
The US president talked about his policies to secure borders in the US and said the UK faced a similar challenge with migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.
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, Trump said.
Since his return to the White House in January, Trump has stepped up deportations of illegal immigrants and cracked down on unlawful border crossings. The President and First Lady Melania Trump departed the UK from Stansted Airport shortly after the news conference.
In a wide-ranging Q&A with UK and US journalists, pressing topics included Palestinian statehood, the war in Ukraine, and technology cooperation between the two countries. The leaders touted a new tech deal meant to bolster collaboration on AI and quantum technologies.
During the conference, Sir Keir stated that his government had made strides in tackling illegal migration, referencing a new return deal with France. Over 30,000 people have crossed the Channel this year alone, marking a significant rise in the ongoing immigration debate in UK politics.
