WEBVTT - UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Talks ‘Grave Concerns’ on Iran Nuclear Program 0:00:02.520 --> 0:00:08.200 Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio news, Prime Minister, just as 0:00:08.240 --> 0:00:10.360 you're about to leave for the G seven, Israel's carried 0:00:10.400 --> 0:00:13.399 out what it describes as a preemptive strike on Iranian 0:00:13.480 --> 0:00:17.000 nuclear targets. Two hundred fighter jets, more than three hundred bombs, 0:00:17.280 --> 0:00:21.040 the site struck, including homes. Would you say Israel is 0:00:21.160 --> 0:00:22.600 justified in the action it's taken. 0:00:22.920 --> 0:00:28.080 Well, I'm very concerned about the situation that is developing, 0:00:28.440 --> 0:00:32.280 and it's obvious that for a long time we've had 0:00:32.320 --> 0:00:36.479 grave concerns about the nuclear program that Iran is putting together, 0:00:36.640 --> 0:00:39.839 and we absolutely recognize as Roel's right to self defense. 0:00:40.080 --> 0:00:43.800 We the UK were not involved in this attack, and 0:00:44.159 --> 0:00:49.199 we're urging all sides to de escalate and negotiate as 0:00:49.200 --> 0:00:51.360 the way forward here, and obviously we're talking to allies 0:00:52.080 --> 0:00:54.640 about that. We have been this week. We are intensively 0:00:54.640 --> 0:00:55.720 talking to allies today. 0:00:56.320 --> 0:00:59.279 In March, US national intelligence made it public that they 0:00:59.320 --> 0:01:02.120 did not believe Iran was developing nuclear weapons. 0:01:02.120 --> 0:01:04.280 So has something changed in the assessment since then. 0:01:04.600 --> 0:01:07.800 Well, I won't go into the intelligence assessments, but we 0:01:07.840 --> 0:01:12.479 are gravely concerned. I've just had a call with President 0:01:12.560 --> 0:01:17.000 mccron and Chancellor Mertz to discuss the situation, and we 0:01:17.080 --> 0:01:20.400 are all on the same page in the sense of saying, look, 0:01:20.600 --> 0:01:23.559 the nuclear program is a real cause for concern. We're 0:01:23.600 --> 0:01:28.039 all saying de escalate in relation to this incident, but 0:01:28.200 --> 0:01:30.400 none of us were involved in the actual attack. 0:01:31.240 --> 0:01:33.160 Does I mean you're also gravely concerned about the fact 0:01:33.160 --> 0:01:36.039 that Israel has taken this very made this very big 0:01:36.080 --> 0:01:39.679 move preemptive military action. I mean you're concerned about Iran's 0:01:39.720 --> 0:01:42.800 nuclear program, You're also concerned about Israel's choice of action. 0:01:43.040 --> 0:01:46.520 Well, I'm concerned about escalation, of course, and I'm going 0:01:46.560 --> 0:01:51.880 to speak to Prime Minister Nettaya who shortly after this interview, 0:01:51.960 --> 0:01:54.480 so obviously that'll be a topic of discussion. But I 0:01:54.520 --> 0:01:56.960 do recognize Israel's right to self defense, There's no doubt 0:01:57.000 --> 0:01:57.440 about that. 0:01:58.720 --> 0:02:00.640 But I am very concerned about. 0:02:00.360 --> 0:02:03.960 The escalation of this situation, which is why, along with 0:02:04.600 --> 0:02:07.520 Germany and France, were really clear that the escalation is 0:02:07.560 --> 0:02:08.520 what is needed here. 0:02:08.760 --> 0:02:13.639 Would the UK therefore help defend Israel from Iranian attack 0:02:13.680 --> 0:02:14.720 as it has done before. 0:02:14.800 --> 0:02:19.880 Well, this is happening in real time as we speak, 0:02:19.919 --> 0:02:22.320 and I'm not going to go into operational matters. If 0:02:22.360 --> 0:02:26.000 you'll forgive me for that, but as I say, the 0:02:26.080 --> 0:02:29.720 principle of Israel's right to self defense is absolutely clear 0:02:29.760 --> 0:02:32.880 and we stand by that. But this is a fast 0:02:32.919 --> 0:02:35.600 moving situation, as you will understand. 0:02:36.040 --> 0:02:39.360 At the same time, we have the ongoing situation in Gaza, 0:02:39.440 --> 0:02:43.400 the suffering. They're something that you have called intolerable and appalling. 0:02:43.880 --> 0:02:47.080 Three weeks ago, you made this very strong statement with 0:02:47.200 --> 0:02:50.160 Canada and France which called for three things, for how 0:02:50.200 --> 0:02:53.920 master release the hostages, for Israel's military operations in Gaza 0:02:53.960 --> 0:02:57.200 to cease, and for Israel to let aid into Gaza 0:02:57.240 --> 0:03:00.520 in accordance with the UN, engage with the UN in it. 0:03:00.880 --> 0:03:03.960 None of those things have happened. What action will you 0:03:04.000 --> 0:03:05.559 take now, Well. 0:03:05.280 --> 0:03:07.720 You'll have seen that we've taken action in relation to 0:03:08.000 --> 0:03:12.840 sanctions three weeks ago, but also more recently, and it 0:03:12.880 --> 0:03:17.120 is important that we consider what other options that we have. 0:03:17.360 --> 0:03:19.200 I always think in these situations it's. 0:03:19.040 --> 0:03:21.920 Better to act with allies, which is why we're coordinating 0:03:22.200 --> 0:03:26.559 what we're doing. But the situation in Gaza is absolutely intolerable. 0:03:26.639 --> 0:03:31.160 The aid arrangements are not adequate, nor are they going 0:03:31.240 --> 0:03:35.360 to be adequate, and so that's why we've been consistently 0:03:35.440 --> 0:03:37.800 calling for a return to the ceasefire. 0:03:37.920 --> 0:03:39.880 Of course, the release of the hostages. 0:03:39.880 --> 0:03:42.680 The remaining hostages have been there a very long time 0:03:43.040 --> 0:03:47.320 in awful circumstances, but we must get that aid in 0:03:48.040 --> 0:03:52.680 at speed, at volume, and the current arrangements are not 0:03:53.040 --> 0:03:54.600 going to deliver that. 0:03:54.720 --> 0:03:56.800 And have been very clear. 0:03:57.440 --> 0:03:59.800 In our messaging all this and our coordination all this, 0:04:00.200 --> 0:04:03.880 and our willingness to take action such as sanctioning. 0:04:04.560 --> 0:04:06.800 Which you've already done and as I said, there's been 0:04:06.840 --> 0:04:10.400 no change to the situation. An action you could take 0:04:10.520 --> 0:04:13.520 is recognizing a Palestinian state, and President macrom is leading 0:04:13.600 --> 0:04:15.840 on a conference at the UN next week on that 0:04:15.960 --> 0:04:16.680 very subject. 0:04:17.120 --> 0:04:21.000 Well, we got long standing policy as a Labor party 0:04:21.040 --> 0:04:26.360 is labor government that recognition should be part of a process, 0:04:26.400 --> 0:04:30.119 and so that's our approach. Precisely what's going to happen 0:04:30.120 --> 0:04:32.880 in the conference next week, I think is unclear. And 0:04:32.880 --> 0:04:39.720 obviously now the immediate issue the Israeli attack overnight, and 0:04:39.800 --> 0:04:42.239 so there are a lot of moving parts at the moment. 0:04:42.279 --> 0:04:45.920 But the principle, the principle we've always held is that 0:04:46.360 --> 0:04:54.240 the only long term solution in relation to Palestine in 0:04:54.320 --> 0:04:57.039 the Middle East is a two state solution, and although 0:04:57.040 --> 0:04:59.880 it seems further off now than perhaps it's seen for 0:05:00.080 --> 0:05:02.360 some time, we have to be clear that is the 0:05:02.360 --> 0:05:07.760 only path through that recognition the right part of the 0:05:07.800 --> 0:05:09.760 process has always been our long standing policy. 0:05:09.839 --> 0:05:11.800 So why would this not be the moment because the 0:05:11.839 --> 0:05:14.080 action you've taken so far has not resulted in a 0:05:14.200 --> 0:05:17.200 change on the ground, and in the West Bank there's 0:05:17.240 --> 0:05:20.920 an expansion of settlements, and there are Palestinians being expelled 0:05:21.120 --> 0:05:24.240 from their homes, and there are the extremist actions of 0:05:24.320 --> 0:05:28.040 Israeli settlers. Britain has a historic responsibility, doesn't it, And 0:05:28.440 --> 0:05:31.279 recognizing of Palestinian state was in your manifesto. Do you 0:05:31.320 --> 0:05:33.479 want to be the British Prime Minister who delivers that. 0:05:33.880 --> 0:05:35.680 Well, we do have a special responsibility. 0:05:35.720 --> 0:05:39.560 You're absolutely right about that and I'm clear and our 0:05:39.560 --> 0:05:43.800 manifesto was clear about our position on recognition. But it 0:05:44.000 --> 0:05:48.080 must be the appropriate part of the process that will 0:05:48.440 --> 0:05:50.760 alleviate the situation, which it doesn't exist. 0:05:50.480 --> 0:05:52.720 At the moment. There is no peace process. 0:05:52.880 --> 0:05:55.720 Well, that's why it must be part of the process. 0:05:55.760 --> 0:05:59.760 Obviously, as you would expect, we are talking to ally 0:06:00.279 --> 0:06:04.680 like minded countries about this very issue, but it must 0:06:04.760 --> 0:06:07.840 be in accord with the manifesto, part of a process 0:06:07.880 --> 0:06:09.480 that leads to a. 0:06:09.400 --> 0:06:10.480 Two state solution. 0:06:10.720 --> 0:06:14.960 It's the outcome that matters in this hugely given the 0:06:15.240 --> 0:06:16.200 intolerable situation. 0:06:16.400 --> 0:06:17.080 Can you see the. 0:06:17.000 --> 0:06:19.960 Moment where you might, in fact, well, can you see 0:06:19.960 --> 0:06:22.440 the moment where you might have to do things independently 0:06:22.480 --> 0:06:24.359 of any process, because there isn't one. And indeed, the 0:06:24.400 --> 0:06:28.440 Israeli government is saying openly that it's trying to prevent 0:06:28.480 --> 0:06:32.279 the expand the establishment of a Paralestinian state through settlement expansion. 0:06:32.320 --> 0:06:35.159 Well, that's why we're talking to international partners about what 0:06:35.320 --> 0:06:37.880 can be done, what should be done, what's the appropriate path, 0:06:39.120 --> 0:06:40.640 and we'll continue to do that. 0:06:40.680 --> 0:06:43.719 I strongly believe that we are. 0:06:43.720 --> 0:06:47.560 Better, more effective when we're acting with allies with others 0:06:47.600 --> 0:06:49.080 at the same time. That's why we took the approach 0:06:49.160 --> 0:06:51.880 we did on sanctions, and it's the same mindset that 0:06:51.920 --> 0:06:52.440 I bring to this. 0:06:53.160 --> 0:06:57.760 Speaking of sanctions, let's turn to Russia. And you've worked 0:06:57.880 --> 0:07:02.200 very very hard on to to help the US administration 0:07:02.279 --> 0:07:06.280 see Ukraine slightly differently, to push them further towards a 0:07:06.360 --> 0:07:09.200 greater action on Russian and you'll be seeing President Trump 0:07:09.480 --> 0:07:10.720 at the G seven summit. 0:07:11.120 --> 0:07:13.960 Do you understand what he is trying to do on Russia. 0:07:14.840 --> 0:07:16.840 I am clear in my own mind that President Trump 0:07:16.880 --> 0:07:18.560 wants to bring that an end to the conflict. 0:07:18.960 --> 0:07:20.640 I have no doubt about. 0:07:20.360 --> 0:07:26.320 That, and we are moving closer. I hope to some 0:07:26.400 --> 0:07:30.200 sort of ceasefire, some sort of deal Ukraine. President Zelenski 0:07:30.240 --> 0:07:35.640 has been absolutely clear that he wants that unconditional cease fire. Putin, 0:07:35.680 --> 0:07:37.880 in my ivy, was dragging his heels, which is why 0:07:38.160 --> 0:07:40.480 I think it is important for us, together with others, 0:07:40.520 --> 0:07:43.520 to say it will be consequences if Russia doesn't come 0:07:43.920 --> 0:07:46.560 forward to an unconditional cease fire. 0:07:46.600 --> 0:07:48.640 And it seemed that you had it, did seem that 0:07:48.680 --> 0:07:51.280 you had you you thought you had persuaded President Trump 0:07:51.360 --> 0:07:52.960 on that when you went to Kiev, when you and 0:07:53.000 --> 0:07:56.320 the other European leaders called him, you said, working with 0:07:56.400 --> 0:07:59.640 President Trump, we're going to ramp up sanctions, and then 0:07:59.840 --> 0:08:02.960 not thing came of it. President Trump talked tough for 0:08:03.000 --> 0:08:06.360 a while about Vladimir Putin and then stopped. So is 0:08:06.400 --> 0:08:08.080 he going to pressure mister Putin? 0:08:08.320 --> 0:08:10.720 Well, there are discussions going on the whole time, and 0:08:10.840 --> 0:08:13.640 we're working with the Ukrainians, working with the US, as 0:08:13.680 --> 0:08:17.120 you would expect with a trusted ally in this the 0:08:17.360 --> 0:08:22.200 path to piece is rarely straightforward in any conflict. But 0:08:22.280 --> 0:08:25.640 I do believe that that is what President Trump wants. 0:08:25.800 --> 0:08:31.360 That is absolutely what the Ukrainians want peace. This is 0:08:31.400 --> 0:08:35.439 a conflict of war that's been waged on them by 0:08:35.440 --> 0:08:38.439 the aggressor, which is Russia, and so we are doing 0:08:38.480 --> 0:08:41.000 everything we can to bring about that outcome. But as 0:08:41.000 --> 0:08:46.040 I say, the path from conflict to piece is rarely straightforward. 0:08:46.120 --> 0:08:48.800 But I'm absolutely determined that the UK will play a 0:08:48.920 --> 0:08:52.280 leading part, and I'm very pleased that the UK has 0:08:52.320 --> 0:08:54.800 seemed to be able to play that leading part in. 0:08:54.760 --> 0:08:55.760 Resolving the conflict. 0:08:55.800 --> 0:08:59.960 And I remind myself always that not only is this 0:09:00.080 --> 0:09:03.000 about the sovereignty of Ukraine, which of course it is, 0:09:03.080 --> 0:09:06.679 but it is also about our values in Europe, and 0:09:06.679 --> 0:09:09.199 it's also about the direct impact it has back here 0:09:09.200 --> 0:09:11.920 at home in the United Kingdom, because whether it's energy 0:09:12.000 --> 0:09:15.120 or the cost of living, familist communities, individuals in the 0:09:15.200 --> 0:09:19.040 UK have been impacted by what's happening in Ukraine, and 0:09:19.120 --> 0:09:23.400 therefore we need to redouble our efforts to bring about 0:09:24.080 --> 0:09:28.160 a lasting piece on a temporary piece, a lasting piece. 0:09:28.200 --> 0:09:30.760 Are you saying that you do believe that President Trump 0:09:30.760 --> 0:09:34.800 will bring in sanctions on Russia, new sanctions, the kind 0:09:34.840 --> 0:09:37.040 of measure that might pressure put In to come to 0:09:37.080 --> 0:09:38.080 the negotiating table. 0:09:38.360 --> 0:09:40.719 He said on a number of occasions that's what he 0:09:40.800 --> 0:09:43.679 will do, and we're obviously closely aligning and talking to him. 0:09:43.679 --> 0:09:45.559 He also said he did in the war in twenty four hours. 0:09:45.720 --> 0:09:49.560 Well, as I said, the if you look at any 0:09:49.600 --> 0:09:55.440 conflict historically, the past to piece has never been straightforward. 0:09:55.559 --> 0:10:00.920 But the determination is there, the intent is there, and 0:10:01.200 --> 0:10:04.680 I do believe we're making progress, but it must be 0:10:04.720 --> 0:10:05.800 a lasting piece. 0:10:06.120 --> 0:10:09.440 You have led on this idea of the Coalition of 0:10:09.520 --> 0:10:13.360 the Willing and a reassurance force for postwar Ukraine. Have 0:10:13.440 --> 0:10:15.240 you got a commitment from the US that it would 0:10:15.280 --> 0:10:18.640 provide air cover for that future force to deter Russia 0:10:18.679 --> 0:10:20.439 from attacking Ukraine in the future. 0:10:20.840 --> 0:10:24.920 Well, President Trump has clearly said he'll have our back, 0:10:25.080 --> 0:10:27.480 and I've always been clear that there must be a 0:10:27.600 --> 0:10:31.800 US element to this. But on the other hand, I 0:10:31.840 --> 0:10:35.360 do think that Europe needs to step up in its 0:10:35.400 --> 0:10:39.880 own right, in its own collective security and self defense. 0:10:40.360 --> 0:10:43.760 And that's why, along with President macarn we have led, 0:10:43.800 --> 0:10:46.400 as it were, on the coalition of the willing, which 0:10:46.440 --> 0:10:49.280 is to go, if you like it, at the pace 0:10:49.320 --> 0:10:52.440 of those that want to go furthest rather than at 0:10:52.440 --> 0:10:55.720 the pace of those who are the most cautious, and 0:10:55.840 --> 0:10:57.360 to start some of the planning that is going to 0:10:57.400 --> 0:10:59.199 be needed. Then the further we get into the planning 0:10:59.240 --> 0:11:02.880 of what's actually going we needed in the air, in 0:11:02.920 --> 0:11:07.040 the sea, and possibly on land, the more convinced I 0:11:07.080 --> 0:11:11.000 am this is the military planning that that is planning 0:11:11.120 --> 0:11:13.640 needs to go on now. It's planning that can't go 0:11:13.720 --> 0:11:17.440 on after the event, so that we're ready for whatever happened. Obviously, 0:11:18.000 --> 0:11:20.200 there's a lot of moving parts. There's a lot of 0:11:21.040 --> 0:11:24.360 questions that aren't answered yet, but the military planning is 0:11:24.400 --> 0:11:25.920 getting to quite an advanced stage. 0:11:25.960 --> 0:11:26.480 Now. 0:11:26.720 --> 0:11:30.240 Having your back, as President Trump has said, is not 0:11:30.280 --> 0:11:34.160 the same as saying I will provide US air cover. 0:11:34.240 --> 0:11:37.000 Bloomberg's been told that the US is refusing to commit 0:11:37.240 --> 0:11:39.040 to air cover for a post warforce. 0:11:39.880 --> 0:11:42.880 Well, I'm not going to get into the private discussions 0:11:42.880 --> 0:11:44.440 that we are having, but what I would say is 0:11:44.480 --> 0:11:50.280 this that there are no two countries that act as 0:11:50.320 --> 0:11:54.679 closely together on defense, security and on intelligence sharing as 0:11:54.679 --> 0:11:58.640 the US and the UK, and that aspect of our 0:11:58.679 --> 0:12:03.240 relationship is a strong today as it's ever been, and 0:12:03.320 --> 0:12:06.240 my commitment to it is their President Trump's commitment to 0:12:06.280 --> 0:12:10.120 it is there. We've discussed it between ourselves, so that 0:12:10.240 --> 0:12:14.040 is an unshakable link between our two countries. 0:12:14.120 --> 0:12:15.800 It does make it difficult, though, doesn't it for you 0:12:15.880 --> 0:12:19.080 to and would you be prepared to put us to 0:12:19.080 --> 0:12:21.560 put British troops on the ground as part of a 0:12:21.600 --> 0:12:24.559 post war force in Ukraine if there wasn't US air 0:12:24.600 --> 0:12:25.720 cover to protect them? 0:12:25.920 --> 0:12:28.600 Well, I've always said there needs to be US protection. 0:12:29.320 --> 0:12:31.200 I have said we would be willing to put our 0:12:31.240 --> 0:12:33.960 troops on the ground, but there has to be that 0:12:34.200 --> 0:12:35.960 US backstock if you like. 0:12:36.040 --> 0:12:37.960 So if it's not there, what happens to the worst 0:12:38.120 --> 0:12:38.559 or force. 0:12:38.840 --> 0:12:42.560 We are discussing this, but I have no reason to 0:12:42.760 --> 0:12:47.400 believe that the US and the UK wouldn't act together 0:12:47.440 --> 0:12:50.520 as we'd done historically for many many years, as we 0:12:50.600 --> 0:12:54.800 are doing every single day of the week. Our teams 0:12:54.800 --> 0:12:57.120 are in constant touch with each other. As I say, 0:12:57.200 --> 0:13:00.920 we must never lose sight of the fact that the 0:13:01.120 --> 0:13:03.360 US and the UK are as close as any two 0:13:03.400 --> 0:13:07.080 countries on defense security and the intelligence that we share 0:13:07.360 --> 0:13:07.960 with each other. 0:13:09.000 --> 0:13:11.760 There's another live bilateral issue, which is the state of 0:13:11.800 --> 0:13:13.960 your trade agreement and the hope that you will implement 0:13:14.000 --> 0:13:16.439 it in the timeframe you yourself set was two weeks, 0:13:16.440 --> 0:13:19.480 which would take us to next Wednesday. So will it 0:13:19.520 --> 0:13:21.040 be implemented in that timeframe. 0:13:21.080 --> 0:13:23.600 We're in the final stages of implementing now. I'm very 0:13:23.640 --> 0:13:26.600 pleased that we reach that agreement. It was a huge 0:13:26.679 --> 0:13:30.880 relief to car manufacturing those working in the sector, particularly 0:13:30.960 --> 0:13:33.960 JILR workers that I went to see before we started 0:13:34.000 --> 0:13:37.439 the negotiations, and I went to see immediately after negotiations, 0:13:37.480 --> 0:13:41.400 and so this is measured in jobs protected, jobs created 0:13:41.480 --> 0:13:44.600 by this deal. We are at the implementation stage, but 0:13:44.640 --> 0:13:47.520 we're at the end of that process, and I hope 0:13:47.520 --> 0:13:48.600 that we can complete. 0:13:48.280 --> 0:13:49.400 It pretty soon. 0:13:49.480 --> 0:13:51.840 Now is that the same as within the two weeks 0:13:51.920 --> 0:13:52.800 by next Wednesday? 0:13:52.920 --> 0:13:55.760 Oh, I'm hoping that we will complete it pretty soon. 0:13:55.960 --> 0:13:58.280 I mean, it's important that we do. But we're making 0:13:58.320 --> 0:14:02.000 good progress. There's nothing ex affected in the implementation and 0:14:02.080 --> 0:14:05.920 so we haven't got any hiccups or obstacles. 0:14:05.920 --> 0:14:07.440 Why isn't it done yet? 0:14:07.600 --> 0:14:10.360 Because there are both sides agreed, what they would do 0:14:10.400 --> 0:14:13.040 in order to implement and so we're working through what 0:14:13.080 --> 0:14:14.960 we the UK have to do, what the US is 0:14:15.120 --> 0:14:17.520 going to do so we can implement it. 0:14:17.559 --> 0:14:19.840 That was as we envisaged not. 0:14:19.840 --> 0:14:21.800 Long after the G seven sumit. You'll have the NATO 0:14:21.880 --> 0:14:24.720 summit coming up, and there there is a very specific 0:14:24.800 --> 0:14:28.280 new ask, which is that the US administration says is 0:14:28.360 --> 0:14:31.000 NATO itself says is to spend five percent of GDP 0:14:31.440 --> 0:14:34.480 on defense, understood to be by the year twenty thirty two, 0:14:34.960 --> 0:14:38.000 three and a half percent on core defense spending. 0:14:38.120 --> 0:14:39.680 Will you be committing to that? 0:14:40.160 --> 0:14:43.400 Well, let me go through what we've already committed to, 0:14:43.480 --> 0:14:47.120 which is obviously two point five percent of GDP being 0:14:47.200 --> 0:14:50.360 spent on defense by twenty twenty seven twenty eight. I 0:14:50.400 --> 0:14:53.320 think that's earlier than most people thought we would commit to, 0:14:53.440 --> 0:14:56.800 and that's the biggest sustain increase in defense spending since 0:14:56.840 --> 0:14:59.160 the Cold War. With an ambition then to go to 0:14:59.200 --> 0:15:02.480 three percent in the next Parliament set that all out 0:15:03.000 --> 0:15:08.760 alongside our Strategic Defense Review. I'd sept the proposition. I've 0:15:08.840 --> 0:15:13.359 advanced the proposition about the importance of NATO. Our Strategic 0:15:13.400 --> 0:15:19.200 Defense Review is very much NATO first, and that all European. 0:15:18.880 --> 0:15:21.040 Countries need to step up. 0:15:21.160 --> 0:15:24.200 There's been a sort of criticism that Europe hasn't carried 0:15:24.240 --> 0:15:25.600 its fair share of the burden. 0:15:25.800 --> 0:15:27.440 I think that's right. 0:15:27.720 --> 0:15:29.720 So I've said to European allies we need to do 0:15:29.760 --> 0:15:34.720 more on spend on capability and cooperation. Obviously, the precise 0:15:34.840 --> 0:15:37.480 wording that will be agreed that NATO is still a 0:15:37.480 --> 0:15:40.720 matter of some negotiation. Well, what I'm really clear about 0:15:40.840 --> 0:15:44.920 is that NATO has been the cornerstone of our defense 0:15:45.040 --> 0:15:51.080 for eighty plus years. It is the most important successful 0:15:51.120 --> 0:15:54.280 military alliance that's ever been and I think it's important 0:15:54.320 --> 0:15:56.880 for that summit in just over a week's time to 0:15:56.960 --> 0:16:00.360 be a real show of unity and to show our 0:16:00.400 --> 0:16:03.920 responsibility not just to reflect on the last eighty years 0:16:03.920 --> 0:16:06.440 of NATO, but to play our part in ensuring that 0:16:07.000 --> 0:16:09.280 we continue peace in Europe. 0:16:09.280 --> 0:16:11.760 And that's all NATO, and that's the broad picture. But 0:16:11.800 --> 0:16:14.840 there is now this very specific loss and your current commitment, 0:16:15.000 --> 0:16:19.600 as your current ambition, is for three percent of GDP 0:16:19.720 --> 0:16:22.680 spent on defense by the year twenty thirty four in 0:16:22.720 --> 0:16:26.040 the next parliament. So could it be your ambition by 0:16:26.080 --> 0:16:28.480 the time of this summit to raise that to three 0:16:28.480 --> 0:16:30.840 and a half percent, because if you don't, you can't 0:16:30.840 --> 0:16:33.960 really claim to be the leading European nation in NATO. 0:16:34.240 --> 0:16:38.640 Well, I had Mark Rotter, the Sexuary General of NATO, 0:16:38.760 --> 0:16:43.800 here in this room on Monday to discuss how together 0:16:43.840 --> 0:16:46.400 we would go into this summit. And there's still discussions 0:16:46.440 --> 0:16:49.320 going on as to price precisely what the wording of 0:16:49.400 --> 0:16:49.680 what the. 0:16:49.600 --> 0:16:50.480 Commitment will be. 0:16:50.960 --> 0:16:53.080 But I mean, he was very clear to me that 0:16:53.120 --> 0:16:56.720 he welcomed our uplift to two point five percent. It 0:16:56.840 --> 0:16:58.400 was very pleased that we had done that. It was 0:16:58.520 --> 0:17:00.640 very pleased with a strategic defense, It's all good. 0:17:00.680 --> 0:17:03.320 It's just a long way from what he and the 0:17:03.440 --> 0:17:04.560 US says everyone's going. 0:17:04.480 --> 0:17:07.359 To agree to this within weeks. Forget week, We're going 0:17:07.400 --> 0:17:08.880 to be a very difficult summit. 0:17:08.680 --> 0:17:11.840 To NATO, not just in our troops but also our 0:17:11.960 --> 0:17:15.800 nuclear commitment to NATO. We're the only country that commits 0:17:16.320 --> 0:17:20.320 our nuclear capability to NATO. And so I think he 0:17:20.359 --> 0:17:24.920 would recognize NATO recognizes that the UK makes a huge 0:17:24.960 --> 0:17:28.560 contribution to NATO. And I am absolutely determined that that 0:17:28.640 --> 0:17:30.960 summit in just over a week will be a huge 0:17:31.000 --> 0:17:37.359 success and an opportunity to show the strength together that 0:17:37.400 --> 0:17:40.240 we have as NATO allies, but also to send a 0:17:40.320 --> 0:17:44.959 very clear message to our adversaries, which is equally important 0:17:45.160 --> 0:17:48.120 in what is a more unstable world and I think 0:17:48.119 --> 0:17:49.840 we've seen for many, many years. 0:17:50.040 --> 0:17:52.960 Finally, let's return to the UK and the plans that 0:17:53.000 --> 0:17:55.360 you've just set out for national renewal for a new 0:17:55.400 --> 0:17:58.199 phase of your government. There are some concerns that the 0:17:58.240 --> 0:18:01.320 growth picture is not necessarily going to with the forecast 0:18:01.440 --> 0:18:04.840 going to support your spending plans. And there is a 0:18:04.880 --> 0:18:08.520 group of people that Bloomberg have looked into company filings 0:18:08.560 --> 0:18:11.160 and they've seen that thousands of company directors have left 0:18:11.200 --> 0:18:13.680 the country, relocating out of the UK in the last year. 0:18:14.040 --> 0:18:15.800 Is this a group of people that you can really 0:18:15.800 --> 0:18:18.480 afford to use? Don't you need to have those people 0:18:18.840 --> 0:18:21.160 here to look at the opportunities for investment? 0:18:21.400 --> 0:18:22.960 Might you consider an investor visa? 0:18:23.480 --> 0:18:26.520 Well, let me put this in the context because obviously, 0:18:27.600 --> 0:18:29.199 and I won't go over this at great detail, but 0:18:29.280 --> 0:18:33.640 we inherited a complete mess at the election. Almost everything 0:18:33.720 --> 0:18:38.280 was broken, the economy, public services, you name it. We 0:18:38.320 --> 0:18:41.480 had to take difficult but right decisions in the budget, 0:18:41.680 --> 0:18:44.360 and that, if you like, was year one of this 0:18:44.440 --> 0:18:46.919 labor government, which was clear up the mess, take the 0:18:47.080 --> 0:18:51.040 difficult but necessary decisions. We're now very clearly moving into 0:18:51.160 --> 0:18:54.399 sort of phase two, which is what the spending Review 0:18:54.520 --> 0:18:58.159 ushers in, which is being clear what's the benefit from this, 0:18:58.320 --> 0:18:59.520 what's the yield? 0:18:59.800 --> 0:19:01.080 Where are you putting your money? 0:19:01.119 --> 0:19:04.359 And I'm really proud that we're rolling out a program 0:19:04.400 --> 0:19:08.160 of real labor values in terms of investment, whether that's 0:19:08.200 --> 0:19:09.760 things like say as well. 0:19:09.720 --> 0:19:13.159 So might investors be part of it? It's just like, 0:19:13.240 --> 0:19:14.280 is it something you're considering. 0:19:14.480 --> 0:19:17.159 I want more investors to come into the country. I 0:19:17.200 --> 0:19:19.480 want top talent to come into the country. But I 0:19:19.480 --> 0:19:23.120 would just push back a little because we've had record 0:19:23.200 --> 0:19:27.679 investment into the UK since the last election. We've just 0:19:27.800 --> 0:19:32.399 had London Tech Week where we had some of the 0:19:32.440 --> 0:19:38.919 most forward leading investment investors and tech companies absolutely singing 0:19:38.960 --> 0:19:41.359 the praises of the UK and why now is the 0:19:41.440 --> 0:19:44.080 right time to invest in them. 0:19:44.359 --> 0:19:46.439 Is also lost about a quarter of a million jobs 0:19:46.440 --> 0:19:49.480 since since the autumn, so it's not all as rosy 0:19:49.520 --> 0:19:50.600 as we actually. 0:19:50.680 --> 0:19:53.000 I mean five hundred thousand more people in work than 0:19:53.440 --> 0:19:56.080 at the date of the last election, and the. 0:19:56.600 --> 0:19:59.600 Actual since since you raise taxes in the in the autumn. 0:19:59.680 --> 0:20:01.560 This is the Bloomberg analysis that a quarter of a 0:20:01.600 --> 0:20:03.080 million jobs have been lost. 0:20:03.400 --> 0:20:05.920 If he looked at the number of people in work, 0:20:05.960 --> 0:20:08.240 it is five hundred thousand more than it was. If 0:20:08.280 --> 0:20:12.200 you look at the commitment and spending Defense Strategic Review, 0:20:12.200 --> 0:20:15.879 there's thirty thousand jobs in nuclear submarines size well that 0:20:15.920 --> 0:20:18.959 we announced earlier this week, there's ten thousand jobs. And 0:20:19.000 --> 0:20:22.000 my job is to make sure that good and well paid, 0:20:22.040 --> 0:20:25.000 secure jobs are there and to attract that investment and 0:20:25.840 --> 0:20:28.320 for international investment. I do think this is a really 0:20:28.320 --> 0:20:33.000 important point and Bloomberg will understand this almost better than anyone. 0:20:33.400 --> 0:20:37.680 Those global investors have a choice as to which country 0:20:37.680 --> 0:20:40.040 they put their money in. They chose not to put 0:20:40.040 --> 0:20:42.359 their money into the UK for many years before the election. 0:20:42.920 --> 0:20:46.400 Now we've had record inward investment. That is because they've 0:20:46.400 --> 0:20:49.480 got confidence in what we're doing. They're putting their money in, 0:20:50.520 --> 0:20:52.959 and that to me speaks volume. 0:20:53.160 --> 0:20:55.439 Final thought, is President Trump coming in September for his 0:20:55.440 --> 0:20:56.040 state visit. 0:20:56.440 --> 0:20:59.919 Oh, he'll be coming in obviously, the Palace will all 0:21:00.040 --> 0:21:01.119