Schkel’s First Meeting with Trump

Multiple British media outlets reported that British Prime Minister Schkel had a two-hour dinner with former President Trump, who is running for president on behalf of the US Republican Party, in New York yesterday.

Schkel, who led the British Labor Party to a landslide victory in the parliamentary election in July, was accompanied by British diplomacy Minister Lamy. This was the first meeting between Schkel and Trump.

Trump’s Comments on Schkel

Before the meeting, Trump told reporters that he thought Schkel was “very friendly” and had run a “great campaign.” Trump also stated that Schkel was “quite popular,” although it was “early” to talk about his performance.

Schkel’s Stance on the US Presidential Election

Schkel has taken a neutral stance on this year’s US presidential election, although experts have pointed out that Trump’s election may cause difficulties, especially doubts about whether he will continue to support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine.

Schkel said he should meet with candidates from both parties in the US presidential election, but due to “scheduling challenges,” he was unable to arrange a meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running on behalf of the Democratic Party.

Lammy’s Past Criticism of Trump

David Lammy, who accompanied Schkel at the event, has harshly criticized Trump in the past. In 2018, he described Trump as a “sociopath who hates women and subscribes to neo-Nazis.” However, he adopted a more conciliatory approach earlier this year, saying in a speech that Trump’s “attitude to European security is often misunderstood.”