Ed Miliband was confronted with his past criticism of “racist” Donald Trump as he held talks in Washington with US counterpart Marco Rubio.
The Foreign Secretary ignored questions about whether he still thought the president was an “idiot, a racist and a misogynist” as he met with America’s top diplomat.
Mr Miliband was invited to the US capital by Mr Rubio after their recent first meeting on the sidelines of a foreign ministers’ summit in the Philippines last month.
The pair were due to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Ukraine war and the situation in Gaza.
Smiling as he shook hands with Mr Rubio at the US state department, Mr Miliband ducked shouted inquiries by reporters about his previous strident views on Mr Trump, and said: “We are looking forward to our meeting.”
The dynamic between the two men will be closely watched as the White House was also reported to be concerned about Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to hand Mr Miliband the Foreign Office brief.
In his previous role as energy secretary, Mr Miliband was a strong champion of net zero and renewables, while Mr Trump is a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, including opening up North Sea oil, and an avowed opponent of “windmills”.
Since arriving in Downing Street, Mr Burnham has signalled a shift in energy policy, earning praise from the Oval Office.
Washington’s ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens said recently that Mr Miliband had been “wrong” in 2016 to call Mr Trump “a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper” and that “hopefully his views have changed”.
He also pledged to work with Mr Miliband in his new role, despite their disagreement on green issues.
Speaking ahead of his talks with Mr Rubio, Mr Miliband said: “The Government is committed to nurturing our strong, enduring and essential alliance with the US.
“I am greatly looking forward to my second meeting with secretary of state Marco Rubio, in which we will discuss the ongoing work to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, which is essential to ease cost-of-living pressures on British families.”
The strategic sea route, which had been open before the US and Israel launched the war in February, has been a flashpoint in the Middle East conflict and disruption to trade has driven up fuel and food prices.
Mr Miliband said: “We will also discuss how we can continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine against Russia’s war – as well as the importance of addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and working towards a lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis.”
In the face of erratic US support, the Foreign Secretary was also set to stress that Ukraine’s security is inseparable from European and transatlantic security and restate the UK’s commitment to stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes.
Following the meeting, Mr Rubio posted pictures of himself with Mr Miliband on X and wrote: “In my meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, we discussed the need for Europe to take a greater role in its own security.
“We also reaffirmed our shared commitment to open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.”
Meanwhile, after the announcement that Mr Miliband will take the UK’s seat on the World Bank board, he will also meet its president Ajay Banga during his visit to discuss development, climate change and strengthening global resilience.