US President Donald Trump said King Charles would be "more helpful" on the issue of Iran than British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, commenting on the military response to the conflict in the Middle East during the British monarch's visit to the United States, writes "Politico".
The statement, made to reporters on Wednesday, puts Charles in a delicate position, since as head of state he is supposed to stand above party politics. It also suggests that the meeting did not ease tensions between Trump and Starmer after their serious disagreements over the war in Iran.
Asked if the one-day visit had improved his relationship with the British prime minister, Trump described the king as "fantastic" and "a great friend of mine". At the same time, he stressed: "I think if he was doing it, if it was up to him, he probably would have helped us with Iran."
The president added that Charles "would have followed through on the suggestions that we made on Ukraine, because we have some disagreements on the Ukraine issue, not so much related to NATO as to the European countries."
Trump also noted his personal attitude towards the monarch: "He is an extraordinary person. And yes, it helps in the sense that when you like the king of a country so much, it probably helps your relationship with the prime minister."
At the same time, he criticized Starmer's position on military aid: "But you know, in that case, the prime minister, who I said you want to send some aid? He said, no, we'll send it after you win the war. I said that's not good, that's not good."
Trump has previously lashed out at Starmer, saying he "is not Winston Churchill" and that the special relationship between the two countries "is not what it used to be".
For his part, the British prime minister has consistently resisted pressure to intervene in the conflict with Iran, arguing that it is not in the UK's national interest.
In a speech to Congress on Tuesday, King Charles stressed the importance of the alliance between the two countries, calling for cooperation to "protect our shared values" and to "ignore the clear calls to turn ever more inward".