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U.S. President Donald Trump said it is “very possible” that a deal with Iran could be reached before King Charles visits the United States later this month, while also criticizing Britain and saying the relationship with the U.K. “has been better.”
In a phone interview with a Sky News correspondent, Trump said a deal with Iran could still come together by the time the king arrives.
“It’s possible. Very possible. They’re beaten up pretty bad. It’s very possible,” Trump said.
The remarks came as more details emerged about the king and queen’s planned four-day visit to the United States at the end of April.
Asked about the “special relationship” with Britain, Trump said ties with the U.K. had deteriorated.
“How is the relationship? It’s the relationship where: when we asked them for help, they were not there. When we needed them, they were not there. When we didn’t need them, they were not there. And they still aren’t there,” Trump said.
He added that the relationship “has been better.”
Trump’s comments followed his calls for the U.K. and other NATO allies to become militarily involved alongside the United States in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, including in efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed with attacks on shipping since the war began at the end of February.
According to the report, the U.K. government has allowed the U.S. to use British bases for defensive actions and strikes.
Trump spoke warmly about King Charles during the interview, saying he was looking forward to all aspects of the visit.
He described the king as “a great gentleman,” “a friend of mine,” and “a fantastic person.”
“I’m looking forward to all of it,” Trump said of the visit.
But his tone shifted sharply when discussing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump said he liked Starmer but accused him of making what he called a “tragic mistake” by closing North Sea oil and criticized British immigration policies.
“I like Star, but I think he’s made a tragic mistake in closing the North Sea oil,” Trump said, according to the transcript. “I think he’s made a tragic mistake on immigration.”
He also said Britain could not succeed with what he called “bad immigration policies and bad energy policies.”
Trump also suggested that the trade deal he gave Britain could be revised.
“We gave them a good trade deal, better than I had to, which can always be changed,” Trump said.
He added that the deal had been “very good” for Britain because, in his words, the country was “having a lot of problems.”
The comments amounted to a warning that the agreement could be revisited.
According to the report, King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to the United States for a four-day visit at the end of April.
The visit is set to include a state dinner at the White House and a trip to New York to commemorate the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.
The king is also expected to deliver a speech to Congress, becoming only the second British monarch to do so.
A Buckingham Palace source indicated that the royals would not meet any survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the trip.
Near the end of the interview, Trump was asked whether an Iran deal could be reached before the king’s visit.
He responded that such an outcome remained possible.
“It’s possible. Very possible. They’re beaten up pretty bad. It’s very possible,” Trump said.
The exchange linked Trump’s view of ongoing diplomacy with Iran to the timing of a major royal visit, even as his remarks on Britain exposed fresh strains in the wider U.K.-U.S. relationship.
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