Donald Trump has criticised a UK minister after she blamed him for stirring anti-immigration sentiment. Angela Eagle, the UK Minister for Illegal Immigration, made the claims during the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. She accused Trump of contributing to an “astonishing” level of “vitriol” surrounding immigration in Western countries.
Eagle pointed to Trump’s well-known border wall policies, saying they had sparked division and encouraged hostility toward immigrants. She said it had become harder for immigrants to “rise above the constant drumbeat of toxic anti-immigration rhetoric.”
Trump’s response was quick. His campaign spokesperson, Steve Cheung, dismissed Eagle’s comments. Speaking to POLITICO, he said: “Nobody knows who this random person is or cares what comes out of her mouth. Who is she and what does she do?”
The row comes at a sensitive time for the UK government. Labour, led by Keir Starmer, is working to maintain strong ties with the US. This could become more challenging if Trump wins another term in office. Starmer himself stayed neutral on the issue. When asked about Eagle’s remarks, he avoided direct criticism of Trump.
“I’ve been clear about who’s responsible for the disorder on our streets. It’s the people carrying out that disorder,” Starmer said. He also stated that he would welcome the chance to meet both Trump and his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris.
This latest spat adds to the tension between Labour and Trump. Earlier this year, Foreign Secretary David Lammy faced criticism when anti-Trump comments he had made resurfaced. Labour is trying to prevent further strain on relations, as polls show Trump and Harris are neck-and-neck in the US presidential race.
Eagle’s criticism also targeted the UK Conservative Party. She accused them of moving further to the right in response to the rise of the Reform Party, led by Trump ally Nigel Farage. She argued that this shift had encouraged “overt racism” in the UK.
Farage, in response, defended his position. “Angela Eagle and the Labour Party are scared to address the real issues. Instead, they throw abuse at anyone concerned about the changes happening in our country,” he said.
As both the UK and US prepare for major elections, the debate over immigration continues to be a hot topic. This clash between Trump and Eagle shows just how deeply it resonates on both sides of the Atlantic.
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