Donald Trump has dismissed the UK's two aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, as 'toys' compared to US vessels, in a fresh attack on Nato allies. Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting, the US president claimed the UK had offered to send a carrier 'when the war is over' regarding the Iran conflict, and he replied: 'Don't bother, we don't need it.'
Trump's comments were part of a broader address in which he criticised Nato for doing 'absolutely nothing' to support US-led strikes on Iran. He alleged that some allies wanted to get involved only after the conflict ended, saying: 'It's supposed to get involved with the war's beginning, or even before it begins.'
Downing Street has previously denied that the UK offered to send aircraft carriers to the Gulf, calling the claim 'categorically untrue'. This is not the first time Trump has made such an assertion.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, asked about Trump's repeated insults, said he believed they were designed to put pressure on him. He told MPs he chose to respond by focusing on his job and acting in the national interest.
Elsewhere in the White House Q&A, Trump confirmed that the Iran war would not affect King Charles III's planned state visit to the US next month, saying: 'He's going to be here very soon... It's going be great.'
