JD Vance meets David Lammy as UK visit begins amid tensions
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US Vice President JD Vance begins a UK visit with talks with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, amid scrutiny over past criticism of Britain’s Labour government.
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US Vice President JD Vance speaks as President Donald Trump makes an announcement about Apple with Apple CEO Tim Cook in the Oval Office, on August 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
US Vice President JD Vance has begun a UK visit with a meeting on Friday with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, a stop that renews scrutiny of Vance’s sharp past criticism of Britain and its governing Labour Party.
Vance, joined by his wife Usha and their three young children, is expected to stay with Lammy at Chevening, the official country residence of the foreign minister, before heading to the Cotswolds, a picturesque countryside region popular with celebrities, political leaders, and other high-profile figures.
According to a source familiar with planning, the trip is a working visit featuring official engagements, cultural visits, and meetings, including with US troops stationed in the UK. It comes amid heightened transatlantic tensions, shifting political landscapes in both countries, and increased attention on Vance’s foreign policy positions.
Vance, a proponent of an America First foreign policy, previously described the Labour Party’s 2023 election win as making Britain "maybe" the first "truly Islamist" nuclear power. He also accused the UK government of undermining free speech and targeting the "basic liberties of religious Britons." Lammy, in turn, once labeled Trump a "far right extremist" and "neo-Nazi," but has since dismissed those remarks as "old news."
Despite past rhetoric, the two leaders have developed a rapport, bonding over shared Christian faith and challenging upbringings, officials say. Lammy attended Mass at Vance’s Washington residence during a March visit, and they met again in Rome in May for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass.
Likely agenda: Ukraine, Gaza, and trade
Friday’s bilateral meeting does not have a formal agenda, but officials expect discussions to touch on the Ukraine war, the war on Gaza, and trade. The UK has urged Trump to maintain support for Ukraine and to accelerate efforts to address Gaza’s humanitarian needs. Analysts say Lammy is unlikely to press Vance aggressively on these points.
“It’s a chance to get the UK perspective in there, but they’re not looking for conflict,” said Bronwen Maddox of Chatham House, noting British satisfaction with a recent trade deal with the Trump administration.
The visit follows Trump’s private trip to Scotland, which included talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Trump is scheduled for a full state visit to the UK in September, his second as an elected leader.
Vance’s past travels have drawn protests, including his Vermont vacation earlier this year, which was disrupted by demonstrators opposing the administration’s immigration stance and Ukraine policy. UK trade unions, pro-Palestinian groups, and climate activists are reportedly preparing similar demonstrations during his stay.
Hundreds of protesters gathered today in Edinburgh, #Scotland, to protest against the unfair policies of Donald Trump against Palestine.#Palestine #Gaza #Ceasefire #WestBank pic.twitter.com/w35rUBbano
— Palestine International Broadcast (@PBI_PS) July 26, 2025
