British PM Keir Starmer Schedules One on One With Trump

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will see former President Donald Trump on Thursday, according to a source familiar with the situation, as international leaders vie for face time with the Republican presidential nominee ahead of the November 5 election.

Keir Starmer will meet at Trump Tower in Manhattan after speaking to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday evening, according to a source who requested anonymity since Trump’s itinerary is not public.

According to the source, their meeting comes after Trump met with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday.

The Trump campaign, as well as the UK and UAE embassies in Washington, did not reply to requests for comment.

It was unclear what Trump spoke with the UAE’s leader or what he intended to address with Starmer, both of whom are in the United States for the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

Keir Starmer differs starkly from Trump

Keir Starmer, the leader of Britain’s Labour Party, differs starkly from Trump on many public policy issues, but he has declared a desire to work with whoever wins the US election.

He met with Democratic President Joe Biden earlier in September to discuss whether Western missiles could be used to hit targets in Russia.

The UAE is a major geopolitical power in the Middle East, and it has assisted in removing wounded people from the Gaza Strip, which is the site of an ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants that has destroyed the civilian population.

The United States is concerned about the UAE’s close relationship with China and has placed limits on exports of some American technology to the country. Some congressional leaders have also raised worry that the UAE is covertly aiding paramilitary fighters in Sudan, something the UAE denies.

Earlier this week, the Emirate leader met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate.

Trump has declined talks

Previous elections included meetings between presidential candidates and foreign leaders. Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton each met with the presidents of Japan, Egypt, and Ukraine at the 2016 United Nations General Assembly.

However, such encounters are sensitive, as the law restricts what candidates can say or debate during them.

The Logan Act of 1799 allows Americans outside the government to contact with foreign officials, but it limits their capacity to resolve U.S. problems. Trump has declined talks with several foreign leaders in recent days.

He cancelled a joint appearance in Pennsylvania with Polish President Andrzej Duda over the weekend and did not meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as planned. He is also unlikely to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, despite a statement last week that the two would communicate when the Ukrainian leader was in the United States.

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