Trump Urges UK to “Call Out the Military” to Secure Borders Amid State Visit

Published: 19 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

During a highly orchestrated two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, former US President Donald Trump urged the British government to consider deploying military forces to control its borders, drawing attention to rising public concern over illegal migration and highlighting divisions in political approaches to security and immigration. Speaking at a carefully managed press conference at Chequers, the official country residence of the Prime Minister, Trump suggested that Britain should emulate the United States in taking a hard line against unlawful crossings, stating, “It destroys countries from within, and we’re actually now removing a lot of the people that came into our country.”

The state visit, officially hosted by King Charles, marked a delicate moment for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has faced a turbulent period in office, including the resignation of his deputy Angela Rayner and criticism over the handling of the Peter Mandelson affair. Despite potential pitfalls, Starmer managed to avoid major flashpoints during interactions with the former US president, maintaining a diplomatic tone while safeguarding sensitive domestic political issues. Sources from Downing Street indicated that the visit helped consolidate £150 billion in promised investment from US companies, highlighting the economic significance of maintaining strong UK-US relations.

Trump’s comments on border control came as the UK prepared to implement its “one in, one out” immigration policy, which allows for the deportation of unauthorized migrants while simultaneously establishing a safe and legal route for asylum seekers. The first deportation flight to France under this policy occurred on Thursday, with further operations expected in the coming days. Trump’s call to “call out the military” resonated with some Labour MPs advocating for a more visible presence in the Channel, a measure that had previously been attempted under Boris Johnson but failed to prevent small boat crossings.

While border security dominated Trump’s commentary, the US president and Starmer also addressed sensitive foreign policy issues, including the UK’s impending recognition of Palestine. Trump acknowledged the move as “one of our few disagreements” during the visit, underscoring the delicate balancing act for the British government. Starmer insisted that the decision to recognise Palestine was independent of Trump’s visit and emphasized the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been exacerbated by ongoing military operations. Both leaders avoided direct condemnation of Israel’s actions, although Starmer highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian aid and protection of civilians in the conflict zone.

Trump’s visit also revealed a significant shift in tone regarding global geopolitical issues. On the Ukraine conflict, he openly criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, “He’s killing many people, and he’s losing more people than he’s killing. The Russian soldiers are being killed at a higher rate than the Ukrainian soldiers.” This marked a departure from previous US positions, and British officials welcomed the comments, interpreting them as a diplomatic win for Starmer in isolating Russia on the world stage. While Trump did not specify strategies for pressuring Moscow, he urged NATO countries to refrain from purchasing Russian oil, signalling an emphasis on economic measures as a form of geopolitical leverage.

In another notable revelation, Trump disclosed the United States’ intention to reclaim Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, which had been surrendered during the chaotic withdrawal in 2021. He described the base as strategically important, particularly in relation to monitoring China’s growing nuclear capabilities, stating, “One of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.” This announcement reflects the US administration’s ongoing focus on countering perceived strategic threats in Asia while reinforcing its global military posture.

Energy policy also became a point of divergence, with Trump praising North Sea oil as a “phenomenal asset” and criticising renewable energy sources, calling wind power “a very expensive joke.” Starmer, in contrast, defended the importance of a diversified energy strategy, including renewables, to meet climate targets and ensure long-term energy security. The exchange underscored differing approaches between the two nations on environmental and energy policy while maintaining cordial diplomatic relations.

Throughout the visit, Trump remained outspoken, providing candid assessments of UK domestic politics. On board Air Force One, he criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan, claiming, “I think the mayor of London, Khan, is among the worst mayors in the world, and we have some bad ones.” The former president indicated that he had blocked Khan from attending state visit events, citing prior disagreements. Starmer, meanwhile, emphasised the broader benefits of the visit, particularly the technology and investment components, noting that the UK-US technology pact signed during the visit would be transformative for AI and tech sectors. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced £2 billion in investment in UK technology companies during the visit, highlighting tangible economic outcomes from the diplomatic engagement.

Trump also addressed sensitive questions regarding former UK officials. When questioned about Peter Mandelson and his links to the late Jeffrey Epstein, Trump dismissed the topic, stating, “I don’t know him,” despite previous meetings between the two in the context of trade negotiations and whisky tariffs. The avoidance of contentious issues during press interactions suggested a deliberate effort to maintain a cooperative tone, particularly given the high stakes of investment and bilateral relations.

The state visit thus represented a multifaceted exercise in diplomacy, balancing domestic political sensitivities with international relations and security priorities. Trump’s focus on immigration, military involvement, and border control served as a reminder of the challenges facing the UK in managing migration flows, while the ongoing recognition of Palestine and energy policy discussions underscored the complexities of aligning domestic and foreign policy agendas.

Observers noted that the visit demonstrated both the opportunities and risks inherent in hosting a figure with polarising international influence. While the economic and technological benefits were clear, the comments on border security and the use of military force highlighted the need for careful management of public perception and intergovernmental messaging. The UK government, while avoiding overt confrontation, faced scrutiny from domestic political actors, including opposition parties and internal critics, over its approach to both immigration policy and foreign affairs.

In conclusion, Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom was marked by a combination of diplomatic pageantry, strategic economic engagement, and controversial commentary on border control and international policy. His call for Britain to “call out the military” to manage illegal migration, alongside his commentary on Palestine, Ukraine, and Afghanistan, highlighted the complexities of contemporary UK-US relations. For Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the visit provided both opportunities and challenges: securing significant investment while navigating contentious issues with a former US president known for his direct and unpredictable approach. As the UK continues to implement new immigration policies and engage in global strategic discussions, the visit will likely be remembered as a defining moment in Starmer’s leadership and the broader UK-US partnership.