US Vice President Vance Opens UK Trip Amid Gaza Policy Rift

U.S. Vice President JD Vance opened a week-long visit to Britain on Friday with talks at Chevening House in Kent alongside Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The trip, billed as a working visit that precedes a family holiday in the Cotswolds, is Vance’s first to the United Kingdom since becoming a central figure in President Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking before bilateral discussions, Vance said Washington and London "share a common objective" in ending the crisis in Gaza, even though they "may have some disagreements about how exactly to accomplish that goal." Lammy reiterated the UK’s deep concern over the humanitarian situation and its intention to pursue recognition of a Palestinian state, a step the United States is not prepared to take. The two also planned to explore closer economic and technology cooperation as well as free-speech issues that Vance has previously highlighted. The visit comes after months of sharp transatlantic rhetoric in which Vance criticised Britain’s Labour-led government over speech and religious-liberty matters, while Lammy once called Trump a "far-right extremist." Both officials struck a conciliatory tone on Friday, with Vance describing Lammy as "a good friend". The vice president dismissed questions about a potential 2028 presidential run, saying he is "not really focused even on the election in 2026, much less one, two years after that." Vance will remain in the UK through next week before Trump’s own state visit in September.