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Donald Trump is a “very transactional” president, whose repeated demands on Iran must be seen in this context, one of Keir Starmer’s most senior ministers has said in an unusually blunt UK assessment of relations between the countries.

Asked about the US president’s threats of some sort of retaliation against allies who do not supply ships to try to free up the strait of Hormuz, Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, said the UK was not obliged to agree to every US request.

After Trump again criticised the UK for a perceived lack of enthusiasm in helping the US-Israeli war against Iran, McFadden said it was important to separate the US president’s “rhetoric” from the more important issues.

In an overnight interview with the Financial Times, Trump reiterated his frustration at the UK for not sending ships to the strait of Hormuz, the vital sea freight passage that has been all but closed by Iranian retaliatory attacks.

all 16 comments
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[-] 0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 11 hours ago
[-] Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz 70 points 1 day ago

Transactional? You think you're getting anything for your compliance?

[-] Corporal_Punishment@feddit.uk 11 points 20 hours ago

This is the closest I fear we are going to get to someone criticising him.

[-] Kalon@feddit.online 41 points 1 day ago

US media talks of our allies, as if we have any after the shit that guy plays.

[-] SarahValentine@lemmy.blahaj.zone 17 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

No kidding. At this point our list of "allies" is just a list of countries whose leaders aren't actively fantasizing about bombing us, and it's getting shorter by the day.

[-] Halcyon@discuss.tchncs.de 18 points 22 hours ago

You started the war on your own, now deal with the consequences and stop whining that nobody wants to join your stupid endeavour.

[-] rayyy@piefed.social 18 points 23 hours ago

The orange pedo felon will treat the UK just like he did those 13 yo girls - offer them gifts and good times, then bone them.

[-] KiwiTB@lemmy.world 30 points 1 day ago

That picture is hilarious.

[-] SpicyLizards@reddthat.com 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Left to right...

'Herpy derp' (but I play dumb and get money), 'fuckin gonna kill ya', and 'just shat myself'

[-] AlexLost@lemmy.world 6 points 21 hours ago

Ask what he plans to give you for your help! He would t lift a finger without a bribe, act accordingly.

[-] scarabic@lemmy.world 4 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago)

While the whole rest of humanity hemms and haws to eventually respond with this kind of limp-dick answer, the White House keep running amok. They started a fool’s war, and are trying to drag others into it. The appropriate response is “go fuck yourself Trump.”

[-] roserose56@lemmy.zip 4 points 21 hours ago

That's right, if USA doesn't like it, tell them to fuck off.

[-] Exeous@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Trump learn all things not „deal” Friend more good then worker

this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2026
348 points (99.4% liked)

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