US Vice President JD Vance met with U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Friday at Chevening House, a historic estate in southern England. Their meeting focused on global economic issues, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and U.S.-U.K. trade relations.
Before the talks, Vance responded to reporters’ questions about the U.K.’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state if Israel doesn’t agree to a ceasefire by September. He expressed skepticism, questioning the practicality of recognition given the lack of a stable Palestinian government.
When asked if former President Donald Trump had prior knowledge of Israel’s intention to occupy Gaza City, Vance declined to answer, saying, “If peace were easy in that region, it would have already happened.”
The meeting comes at a time when Washington and London are navigating differing strategies to end the conflicts in both Ukraine and Gaza. Meanwhile, trade discussions continue, especially over U.K. exports of steel and aluminum to the U.S., as part of a broader deal announced in late June.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he hoped to meet Trump next week, just ahead of a deadline set by Trump for Russia to show progress toward ending the war in Ukraine, which has lasted nearly three and a half years. While Trump emphasizes direct talks with Putin, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European leaders maintain that Ukraine must be involved in any peace negotiations.
Despite their historically strong alliance, the U.S. and U.K. have taken different approaches to the Gaza conflict, further highlighting the diverging strategies.
The meeting took place at Chevening, a 400-year-old countryside mansion that serves as the foreign secretary’s official residence. A small group of protesters gathered nearby, some wearing Palestinian keffiyehs and holding signs mocking Vance.
Though politically opposed — Lammy is from the Labour Party and Vance is a Republican aligned with Trump’s "America First" ideology — the two leaders have developed a personal connection through their similar upbringings and shared Christian faith.
Lammy recently described their friendship in an interview with The Guardian, saying they bonded over their challenging working-class childhoods. He referred to Vance as a “friend” and recalled attending a Catholic Mass at Vance’s home in Washington. They also met earlier this year in Rome during the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.
“I got the sense that JD really understands me and also relates to Angela [Rayner],” Lammy said, referring to the U.K.’s deputy prime minister. “It was a great conversation.”
Following the Chevening meetings, Vance and his family plan to spend time in the Cotswolds — a popular countryside destination for wealthy American tourists. Their trip will include official events, cultural visits, meetings with U.S. troops, and some fundraising.
According to British media, the Vances have rented a home in the village of Charlbury, near Oxford. The Cotswolds, covering about 800 square miles across five counties, is a favorite among affluent visitors for its picturesque villages and classic English charm.
Plum Sykes, a journalist and socialite, told The Times that the area has become a hotspot for high-profile Americans. “It’s the fashionable place to be,” she said. “Americans are drawn to the charm — and where there’s money and power, more money and power follow.”