Donald Trump suggested two crucial deals on Ukraine and UK tariffs could be on the way during a harmonious joint press briefing with Sir Keir Starmer at the White House.

The US president hailed the prime minister a “very tough negotiator” and a “special man” following their historic first meeting as heads of state since the US president was sworn in for a second term.

Starmer sought to woo Trump at the beginning of his visit with a signed letter from King Charles inviting the US president for an “unprecedented” second state visit ahead of crunch talks about Ukraine, the economy and the Chagos Islands deal.

The PM had been hoping to push his US counterpart on the idea of a US “backstop” for any peace deal with Kyiv and persuade him against imposing trade tariffs on the UK.

“I think we’re going to have two deals,” Trump said following the meeting at the joint press conference. “A deal on the [Ukraine] war and a trade deal with you.”

After White House talks, Trump suggested the UK and US could end up with a “real trade deal” that would make tariffs unnecessary.

He said Starmer had “tried” to persuade him not to impose trade tariffs on the UK.