Starmer, Trump hail renewal of 'special relationship', skirt difficult issues

By Steve Holland, Andrew MacAskill and Elizabeth Piper

CHEQUERS, England (Reuters) - Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the renewal of their nations' "special relationship" on Thursday, ending the U.S leader's unprecedented second state visit with a show of unity after avoiding several possible pitfalls.

At a warm press conference when the two leaders glossed over differences on Gaza and wind power to present a united front, Trump reserved his toughest language for Russian President Vladimir Putin who he said had "let him down" in his efforts to end what he thought would be an easy war to resolve in Ukraine.

After two days of his state visit to Britain, which the U.S. leader described as an "exquisite honour", Trump was in a relaxed mode at the final press conference when Starmer was focused on skirting over potential areas of disagreement.

The press conference ended without either being tripped up by potential embarrassing subjects, with both batting away questions over the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his ties to Trump and to Starmer's former ambassador to the U.S..

LEADERS PRAISE THEIR CLOSE TIES

"We've renewed the special relationship for a new era," Starmer told reporters.

"This partnership today is a signal of our determination to win this race together and to ensure it brings real benefits in jobs, in growth, in lower bills, to put more hard-earned cash in people's pockets at the end of each month."

Trump also described the close ties enjoyed by the two countries, praising Starmer for being a tough negotiator in securing the first tariff deal with the U.S.

"We're forever joined, and we are forever friends and we will always be friends," Trump said.

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(Additional reporting by William James, Muvija M, Catarina Demony, Alistair Smout, Editing by Lincoln Feast, Philippa Fletcher and Kate Holton)