Live Updates: Trump and Starmer Sign Business Deals on Day 2 of State Visit

President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain officially signed a technology partnership agreement on Thursday, declaring it a crucial step for both the United States and Britain to lead the world in artificial intelligence and other high-tech innovations.

This signing marked the final day of a meticulously planned state visit, which commenced with a lavish royal welcome. For Mr. Trump, the two-day trip offered a temporary reprieve from domestic political pressures, as he largely steered clear of overt political discussions and contentious issues like trade or the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

However, it was anticipated that Mr. Starmer would address these sensitive topics during his meeting with Mr. Trump, and both leaders were expected to face questions at a Thursday afternoon news conference.

The visit’s initial day was steeped in ceremony, highlighted by a white-tie dinner at Windsor Castle where Mr. Trump effusively praised the British royal family. The opulent setting, attended by White House aides, cabinet secretaries, American business leaders, their British counterparts, and members of the aristocracy, clearly delighted a president known for his appreciation of grandeur.

Upon departing Windsor Castle on Thursday morning for Chequers, the British Prime Minister’s country residence, Mr. Trump hailed his host, King Charles III, as ‘a great gentleman and a great king.’ First Lady Melania Trump remained at the castle, participating in events with Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Further Developments:

• Investments: Synchronized with Mr. Trump’s visit, major companies including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Blackstone announced pledges totaling over $200 billion in investments in Britain over the next decade. Similarly, British firms, notably pharmaceutical giant GSK, committed to investments in the United States. While such pledges are customary during high-profile international visits, the British government views them as a vital economic boost during a period of challenging growth.
• Nuclear energy: Despite significant differences in climate and energy policies, Mr. Trump and Mr. Starmer found common ground on nuclear energy. They finalized an agreement to construct more nuclear power plants in Britain. Starmer’s administration promised accelerated reviews for new projects, mirroring Trump’s executive orders to expedite nuclear reactor approvals in the U.S.
• Protests: In stark contrast to the red-carpet reception, thousands of protesters gathered in central London on Wednesday to demonstrate against Mr. Trump’s presence, highlighting the divided public sentiment in Britain.
• First lady’s engagements: Queen Camilla personally guided Mrs. Trump on a tour of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a meticulously crafted miniature palace presented as a gift to Queen Mary in 1924, showcasing exquisite British craftsmanship. Later, Mrs. Trump joined Catherine, Princess of Wales, at Frogmore Gardens for an event with Britain’s youngest Scout group, the Squirrels.

On Thursday, President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accompanied by their wives, observed a thrilling display by the Red Devils, the British Army’s parachute display team, anticipating a joint news conference shortly after.

Earlier, the technology cooperation agreement between the U.S. and UK was revealed to be the work of Peter Mandelson, whom Prime Minister Starmer had recently dismissed as ambassador to Washington following disclosures about his association with Jeffrey Epstein.

At a business gathering, Prime Minister Starmer maintained an impassive demeanor as President Trump asserted, ‘We’re really the ones who can do tariffs. No one else can do them.’ Britain has previously been unsuccessful in securing relief from U.S. steel tariffs.

Britain’s Media Debates Trump’s Royal Welcome: Diplomatic Triumph or Undignified Plea?

British media outlets were sharply divided on Thursday in their assessment of the first day of the state visit. Some characterized the lavish royal pomp and ceremony as a masterful act of British diplomacy, strategically deployed in pursuit of national interests. Others condemned it as a desperate and undignified display of deference to a temperamental American president with a fragile ego.

Newspaper front pages were adorned with images of a glittering banquet at Windsor Castle and Mr. Trump’s grand procession in a horse-drawn carriage. The stark difference in public perception was clearly visible in two prominent tabloids.

‘The Special Bond,’ proclaimed the optimistic headline in The Sun, which reported Mr. Trump’s state dinner speech praised the unique relationship between the U.S. and Britain, accompanied by the theme music from James Bond films. The Sun, known for its conservative stance and sensationalism, is part of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, with Murdoch himself attending the banquet.

Conversely, the left-leaning Daily Mirror’s front page declared: ‘The royals did their job. They smiled, laughed …. and massaged Trump’s frail ego.’ Russell Myers, the newspaper’s royal editor, further elaborated on social media: ‘When Britain’s star has fallen so far and we are forced to grovel for recognition of the special relationship, our dutiful royals serve us well in desperate times.’

A more profound critique emerged in The Guardian, where a poem by Carol Ann Duffy, a former poet laureate, starkly reimagined the ceremonial banquet occurring amidst a ‘bomb site.’ While not explicitly naming Gaza, the poem’s imagery evoked the unsettling contrast between the opulent state dinner and the escalating hunger crisis and suffering in the enclave due to Israel’s military campaign.

“Poached Sandringham venison with truffles to follow,
then Key Lime Pie, and among the wines,
Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, 1990.
Yum-yum. Let the trumpets sound on the bomb site
as the great and the good pick their way through,
and a famished child peers through a bullet-hole in a wall.”

The conflict in Gaza was a significant concern for many of the protesters in London, fueled by perceptions of America’s unwavering support for Israel.

Among the unexpected demonstrators was Max Hastings, a writer and former editor of the right-leaning Daily Telegraph, who was seen by a BBC journalist. Interviewed on his presence, Mr. Hastings, reflecting Mr. Trump’s unpopularity in Britain according to opinion polls, accused him of undermining global order: ‘He’s a destroyer,’ Hastings stated.

The Guardian also highlighted investments by American companies, estimated at £150 billion for Britain, suggesting Prime Minister Starmer hoped these would appease critics of the state visit. This focus underscored a prevalent media view that the visit was primarily a pragmatic endeavor. The Independent’s headline aptly captured this sentiment: ‘Britain wheels out the Windsors to play its royal Trump card.’

The lingering question remains whether the political and diplomatic gains from Mr. Trump’s visit, which concludes today, will ultimately justify it in the eyes of his numerous British detractors.

Melania Trump’s Royal Itinerary and Fashion Choices

While President Trump engaged in political discussions, First Lady Melania Trump pursued her own royal agenda. After touring the Royal Library at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla, Mrs. Trump journeyed to the nearby Frogmore House, located within the castle’s private grounds. There, she was met by Catherine, Princess of Wales, and together they joined children from the Squirrels, Britain’s youngest Scout group (ages 4-6), for an outdoor event.

The First Lady and Princess Catherine observed the children making leaf collages and building insect hotels, before presenting them with activity badges and sharing a picnic. The Scouting movement, founded by Robert Baden-Powell in Britain in 1907 on Brownsea Island, expanded internationally, reaching the United States in 1910 with the publication of his ‘Scouting for Boys’ handbook.

Notably, her attire for the day drew attention. For her meeting with Queen Camilla, Melania Trump donned a full-leather caramel Louis Vuitton suit paired with snakeskin pumps. Louis Vuitton is part of the LVMH luxury conglomerate, owned by Bernard Arnault, who notably attended President Trump’s inauguration. Later, for her garden tour, Mrs. Trump transitioned to a more casual suede Ralph Lauren safari jacket with Loro Piana trousers – interestingly, another LVMH brand, prompting observations about a potential fashion trend.

Trump Hails Kimmel Suspension After Criticizing UK on Free Speech

In a notable contradiction, President Trump lauded the suspension of American comedian Jimmy Kimmel by the ABC network, just weeks after criticizing the United Kingdom for actions against free speech.

Three weeks prior, when British police arrested Irish comedian Graham Linehan over online posts perceived as inciting violence against transgender individuals, President Trump reacted strongly. ‘I will just say that in terms of U.K., strange things are happening over there,’ he commented. ‘They are cracking down and surprisingly so, and I’ve spoken to the prime minister and let’s see what happens.’

However, during his state visit to Britain, as Mr. Trump met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, his own administration was instrumental in the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, host of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’. Kimmel’s suspension by ABC on Wednesday followed comments he made during his Monday monologue regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

‘We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it,’ Kimmel had stated.

Instead of echoing his concerns about free speech, Mr. Trump publicly celebrated the news. ‘Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,’ he posted on his Truth Social media platform.

ABC’s decision to suspend Kimmel reportedly followed threats from senior Trump administration officials. Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, suggested on Wednesday that his agency might take action against ABC over Kimmel’s remarks. This incident is part of a broader national campaign by Trump’s allies against critics of Charlie Kirk following his death, resulting in numerous job terminations and suspensions.

These events highlight a significant divergence in how Mr. Trump and his allies approach free speech in the U.S. compared to Europe. In Britain, Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance have consistently criticized the government for what they deem heavy-handed treatment of right-wing expression, particularly concerning migrants. Vance notably stated that ‘free speech, I fear, is in retreat’ in the United Kingdom.

Conversely, in the United States, Trump and Vance have aggressively vowed to use governmental power against what the president terms the ‘radical left’ for comments they disagree with, including those made about Mr. Kirk. Following Kirk’s death, Trump declared that the ‘radical left has done tremendous damage to the country,’ adding confidently, ‘But we’re fixing it.’

Trump Lands at Chequers to Begin Diplomatic Talks

President Trump, along with key aides including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, arrived via Marine One at Chequers, the British Prime Minister’s country residence. His arrival marked the official commencement of diplomatic negotiations with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Britain Expected to Recognize Palestinian Statehood After Trump’s Departure

Hours or even days after President Trump leaves Britain this afternoon, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is anticipated to confirm that the British government will vote next week to recognize a Palestinian state at the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

This announcement is not entirely unexpected. Starmer had previously stated in July that recognition was contingent on certain conditions, notably a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, none of these conditions appear to have been met.

This stance puts Britain at odds with the United States. Mr. Trump has publicly opposed recognizing a Palestinian state. Despite this policy difference, he has maintained a warm relationship with Mr. Starmer. During a visit to Scotland in July, when questioned about Starmer’s move towards Palestinian statehood, Trump commented, ‘I’m not going to take a position; I don’t mind him taking a position. I’m looking to getting people fed right now. That’s the No. 1 position, because you have a lot of starving people.’

Vice President JD Vance was more direct in highlighting the policy divergence during a family vacation to Britain in August. ‘We have no plans to recognize a Palestinian state,’ Vance stated before a meeting with then-British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. ‘I don’t know what it would really mean to recognize a Palestinian state, given the lack of a functional government there.’

For Starmer, the push for Palestinian state recognition is partly driven by domestic political pressures. There has been growing demand within his Labour Party and among the broader British public for this step, particularly as Israel’s military operations in Gaza intensify and the humanitarian crisis worsens.

Britain’s decision follows similar announcements from France, Canada, and Malta. Starmer, a former human-rights lawyer, acknowledged that the dire images of suffering in Gaza had pushed him past a personal tipping point. ‘The situation is simply intolerable,’ he said in July. ‘I am particularly concerned that the very idea of a two-state solution is reducing and feels further away today than it has for many years.’

Trump Concludes Royal Engagements, Shifts to Policy Discussions at Chequers

President Trump concluded his royal engagements in Britain, including an overnight stay at Windsor Castle. As he bid farewell to King Charles, he remarked, ‘A great gentleman and a great king.’ With the ceremonial aspects behind him, the president will now proceed to Chequers for crucial policy meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to be followed by a news conference.

Melania Trump and Queen Camilla Explore Royal Dolls’ House

During President Trump’s state visit, First Lady Melania Trump and Queen Camilla shared a unique moment at Windsor Castle, exploring Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a century-old miniature palace. This exquisite piece features a silver crown, barely an inch tall, adorned with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and seed pearls, with a red velvet cap fit for a monarch, all crafted at one-twelfth scale.

The Dolls’ House, not a toy but a tribute to British craftsmanship, was presented to Queen Mary, wife of King George V, in 1924. A 1924 report described Queen Mary’s ‘keenest appreciation of its wonders,’ including functional running water and electric lifts. To mark its centenary, visitors can now view select items, including the miniature crown, outside its traditional display.

Kathryn Jones, a senior curator at the Royal Collection Trust, noted the house’s ‘instant charm’ and its ‘layered’ historical significance.

US and Britain Diverge on Climate, Converge on Nuclear Energy Policy

Despite the ceremonial facade of President Trump’s state visit, the United States and Britain remain fundamentally at odds over their climate and energy policies, with one notable exception: nuclear power.

President Trump has formally withdrawn the United States from the Paris Agreement, a global accord on climate change. In stark contrast, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Britain has committed to one of the most ambitious climate targets among industrial economies, pledging to reduce its climate pollution by 81 percent by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.

Trump has advocated for a resurgence of coal, the most polluting fossil fuel, even ordering old coal-burning power plants to remain operational. Britain, however, closed its last coal plant last year, a symbolic milestone for the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, with some former sites now being repurposed into battery farms for storing solar and wind energy.

Their approaches to renewable energy, which enjoys widespread public support in both nations, are sharply divergent. President Trump has curbed government support for domestic clean energy initiatives and previously urged Britain to ‘get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil.’ Conversely, Mr. Starmer aims to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, planning for Britain’s electricity to primarily come from renewable sources by 2030. In 2024, renewables accounted for over half (50.8 percent) of Britain’s energy generation for the first time, largely due to wind power.

However, the two leaders find common ground on one critical aspect: nuclear energy. Starmer and Trump have reached an agreement to construct more nuclear plants in Britain. Nuclear energy, which produces no greenhouse gas emissions, aligns with Britain’s climate objectives despite ongoing concerns about safety and waste disposal. Starmer’s administration has pledged to fast-track reviews for new plants, mirroring Trump’s executive orders to expedite U.S. nuclear reactor approvals. Echoing the Trump administration’s ‘nuclear renaissance’ rhetoric, Starmer has also heralded the deal as ushering in a ‘golden age’ of nuclear power.

Britain Eyes U.S. Investments to Mitigate Economic Pressures

Amidst the diplomatic spectacle of President Trump’s state visit, the British government has emphasized the promise of substantial U.S. investments as a beacon of economic relief for its populace.

Announcements linked to Mr. Trump’s visit highlighted commitments from American giants like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Blackstone, pledging over £150 billion (approximately $204 billion) in British investments over the next decade. Reciprocally, British companies, including pharmaceutical powerhouse GSK, have signaled intentions to invest in the United States, with the British government also committing to increased procurement from American firms. These pledges, according to the British government, are expected to generate thousands of jobs.

‘These investments are a testament to Britain’s economic strength,’ Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, emphasizing the perceived success of the visit. While such investment commitments are a common feature of high-profile international visits, and many of the participating companies already have a substantial presence in Britain, likely making these or similar investments regardless, the British government intends to leverage these pledges as evidence of its capacity to spur economic growth—a top national priority.

The timing is particularly critical given recent economic data. Britain’s annual inflation rate in August, at 3.8 percent, was nearly double the central bank’s target. The Bank of England is expected to maintain high interest rates on Thursday, a challenging situation for many consumers. With the next budget announcement anticipated in about two months, speculation about potential tax increases is already rife.

Adding to the economic landscape, the British government has yet to secure further concessions from the Trump administration regarding tariffs on British products. Efforts to achieve zero tariffs on steel have stalled, and attempts to reduce levies on Scotch whisky have also seen no discernible progress. Against this backdrop of persistent inflation, prospective tax hikes, and lingering trade uncertainties, Mr. Starmer’s administration is hopeful that the announced American investments will provide a much-needed counterbalance to the prevailing economic strain.