By doing so, the gag goes, the US would be flattered after Donald Trump’s decision to unilaterally dub the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. It would also have the advantage of pleasing the French, as the UK is torn between its Atlantic and European neighbours.
The Prime Minister crossed the world’s busiest shipping lane with the words of US President Donald Trump ringing in his ears, confirming tariffs with the EU but only saying the UK “might” be similarly affected.
According to UK sources, a lot of work is going on behind the scenes to persuade Trump’s team of the “balance” between the two nations as mutual employers and trading partners.
If there is an obvious pull between the US, the UK and the EU, there is another complicating factor: the UK’s relationship with China. As The i Paper reported on Friday, a likely decision to exempt Beijing’s spies from the toughest restrictions of the UK’s new counter-espionage laws is part of an effort to rekindle relations. But the UK’s compromise is likely to dismay the White House.
Ahead of Starmer taking office last year, Brussels had held expectations for a closer and faster reset of relations, leaving behind the psychodrama and posturing of the Conservative years. In public briefing and private negotiations, the EU has tried to prod the UK Government into closer ties, only for London to rebuff sallies on the single market, customs union and a youth mobility programme.
For all Starmer and his team try to present a defence treaty and the future of Ukraine’s security as common ground – and they are – there are all sorts of matters the EU would rather talk about at the same time.
The UK has a plan to avoid worst of Trump's tariffs - but can't escape unscathed
Read MoreMeanwhile, with the money markets absorbing the impact of Trump’s announcement to impose international tariffs, the world’s blond disruptor-in-chief was dominating the conversation in Brussels and back home in London.
Furthermore, could Starmer be the one to make good on the benefits of Brexit? Could the UK trade with both the EU and US? Peter Mandelson, who starts this week as the UK’s ambassador to Washington, has talked of a “have your cake and eat it” strategy.
“We are not choosing between them,” Starmer told reporters in Brussels. “In relation to the US and the EU or Europe more generally, if you look at our vital interests, it’s important that we work with both, and we don’t see it as an either/ or.”
What was on display was cakeism writ large. A massive sponge number with pink icing. How long Starmer can keep this up is the balancing act of his career. In the meantime the English Channel keeps its name.
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