Donald Trump's press conference has been delayed as the White house and Downing Street try to figure out how to connect Keir Starmer when he is halfway across the world. The press conference at the White House was due to begin at 3pm UK time, but has been pushed back closer to 4pm. The White House and Number 10 ran into a few technical errors while trying to connect the two world leaders remotely after issues with the Zoom call, according to reports.

The blunder appears to have set the US President's news conference back by over 40 minutes - also risking an overlap with Starmer's own conference planned imminently for the West Midlands. It comes as the two leaders prepare to announce a trade deal between the US and UK that could involve cuts to the 25% tariffs on a number of exports - though a 10% blanket levy on US imports is likely to remain in place.

The US President earlier said there would be developments in trade talks with a “big and highly respected country”.

Starmer, who had been due to spend the day focusing on events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, said he would “act in our national interest” to “deliver security and renewal for our country”.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “This should be a very big and exciting day for the United States of America and the United Kingdom.”

He added: “The agreement with the United Kingdom is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come.

“Because of our long-time history and allegiance together, it is a great honour to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement. Many other deals, which are in serious stages of negotiation, to follow!”

Speaking to the London Defence Conference, the Prime Minister said: “Talks with the US have been ongoing and you’ll hear more from me about that later today.

“But make no mistake, I will always act in our national interest, for workers, businesses and families, to deliver security and renewal for our country.”

But Downing Street declined to be drawn on whether it recognised Mr Trump’s characterisation of the deal as “full and comprehensive”.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We’ve always been clear that we want to do a deal that’s in the British national interest, and support a substantial UK-US trading relationship.

“Those talks are continuing and we look forward to providing an update later today.”