(LONDON) – Donald Trump has reversed his comments about British troops after concerns raised by King Charles III over remarks that were seen as dismissive of Nato allies were conveyed to the White House.
The US President had triggered anger in the United Kingdom after suggesting that allied forces in Afghanistan had stayed away from the front lines. The comments drew criticism from veterans, politicians and families of those who served.
Following the intervention, Trump publicly praised British forces, describing them as among the greatest warriors and highlighting their role in the conflict in Afghanistan. A British official said it was expected that the King, as Commander in Chief, would defend the Armed Forces and their record of service and sacrifice.
A source familiar with the exchanges said the King’s concern about the hurt caused by the remarks was clearly communicated through private diplomatic channels. The comments were said to have been relayed whether the remarks were intended to offend or not.
Trump’s shift in tone came forty eight hours after his initial remarks and followed a direct call from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Downing Street later confirmed the conversation and said the Prime Minister raised the shared sacrifice of British and American troops who fought together in Afghanistan.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said British soldiers had fought with heart and soul and acknowledged that 457 UK service personnel lost their lives during the conflict. He said the bond between the two militaries was unbreakable and expressed affection for the United Kingdom.
The remarks followed two days of criticism after Trump spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he accused Nato allies of not pulling their weight. He claimed that some countries had sent troops to Afghanistan but kept them away from the front lines.
In Nato’s seventy seven year history, the United States remains the only country to have invoked Article Five, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. Washington did so after the attacks of September 2001.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed Trump’s revised comments, saying the contribution of the British Armed Forces should never have been questioned. She said it was right that the role of those who served and died alongside allies was acknowledged.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter, while the White House did not respond to requests for further clarification.
The controversy also prompted responses from veterans and public figures. Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, said the sacrifices made by service personnel and their families deserved to be spoken about truthfully and with respect. He said many lives were permanently changed by the conflict and the cost was still being carried by families.
Musician Sir Rod Stewart urged British political leaders to intervene, criticising Trump’s past comments and calling for an apology. He said the loss of British lives in Afghanistan made the remarks deeply painful.
Afghanistan war veteran Martyn Compton, who suffered severe injuries during a Taliban ambush in 2006, said Trump’s statement did not go far enough. He said the absence of a clear apology continued to hurt families who lost loved ones and those who live with life changing injuries.
Britain was involved in Afghanistan from 2001 until 2021 as part of a multinational force following the attacks on the United States. UK combat troops withdrew in 2014, with the mission formally ending seven years later.
