'No plans to recognize Palestine as state': JD Vance says after UK talks, rejects following Britain's recognition policy

US Vice President JD Vance said on Friday that Washington has no plans to recognize Palestinian as state, questioning the viability of such a move “given the lack of a functional government there.”

Vance’s remarks came during a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening, the foreign secretary’s official country residence. His comments were in response to London’s announcement that it will recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza.

When asked if US President Donald Trump had been informed in advance about Israel’s plan to occupy Gaza City, he responded, “If it was easy to bring peace to that region of the world, it would have been done already.”

The two leaders’ discussions covered global economic issues, the Israel-Hamas war and Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. While Washington and London have historically close ties, they remain divided over their approach to ending the conflict in Gaza.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of other diplomatic tensions, including the UK’s efforts to secure favorable terms for steel and aluminum exports to the US and to advance a broader trade deal announced in June.

After engagements in London, he and his family will travel to the Cotswolds for a mix of official meetings, cultural visits and fundraising events.