Britain and the United States may disagree about how to address the crisis in Gaza, but they share common goals in the region, US Vice President JD Vance said at the start of a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in southern England.
Asked about Britain's plan to recognize Palestine, Vance said the US and Britain had a common goal to resolve the crisis in the Middle East, adding: "We may have some disagreements about how exactly to accomplish that goal, and we'll talk about that today."
Vance also reiterated that the US had no plans to recognize a Palestinian state, saying he didn't know what recognition actually meant, "given the lack of a functional government there."
Vance, who has previously criticized Britain and its governing Labour Party, landed with his wife, Usha, and their three children in London before heading to Chevening, the large, red-brick country residence used by the British foreign minister.
Appearing before reporters and TV cameras, the two leaders exuded plenty of bonhomie, with Lammy recommending Vance enjoy a coastal walk in Kent and the vice president professing his "love" for Britain.
Britain takes harder stance against Israel
Britain, by contrast, has taken a harder stance against Israel, declaring its intention to recognize Palestine along with France and Canada to put pressure on Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu over the continuing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.