The fruit of flattery is tariffs, but Trump-wrangler Starmer stays circumspect | John Crace

Despite pandering to Trump's ego, Labour finds itself in a trade war. At least Reform is still giving comic relief

Well, that went well, didn't it? Weeks of finding ever more ingenious ways to flatter the US president. Extolling the brilliance of Donald Trump being able to tie his own shoelaces. That's incredible, Mr President. No one has ever managed to do that so beautifully." No chance for flattery has been passed up. It is now the sign of the highest IQ not to be able to speak in joined-up sentences. To change your mind at a moment's notice. Yet at all times, Keir Starmer has remained a paragon of obsequiousness. Not a word out of place.

And what do we get for it? The occasional hint of recognition from the Donald. Which we cling to. Attempting to find meaning in something essentially meaningless. Something that came with little thought. And now we also are landed with 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium. A reward for obeisance. That's the thing with Trump. He gets angry if he's disrespected but has nothing but contempt for those who humour him. He's a complicated proposition.