President Trump is concluding his state visit to Britain with a crucial meeting alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The leaders are poised to unveil significant business agreements between American and British corporations, marking the culmination of a trip that has balanced lavish pageantry with serious discussions.
Yesterday’s events saw President Trump hosted at a white-tie dinner at Windsor Castle, where he expressed admiration for the British royal family. High-ranking White House officials, cabinet secretaries, and leading American business figures joined their British counterparts and aristocracy for an opulent evening. This morning, as Mr. Trump departed Windsor for Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence, he hailed King Charles III as a “great gentleman and a great king.”
First Lady Melania Trump has also been engaged in royal activities, touring the Royal Library at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla, where they observed schoolchildren illustrating miniature books and historical artifacts, including drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. She was also shown a 16th-century poem by Queen Elizabeth I and a Shakespeare volume annotated by King Charles I. Later, Mrs. Trump is scheduled to meet with Catherine, Princess of Wales, at Frogmore Gardens for an event with the Scouts Association.
While the visit has largely steered clear of overt political discord, pressing issues such as trade, the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are anticipated to be on the agenda during the leaders’ discussions and subsequent news conference. Notably, there’s a clear divergence in approach to free speech: President Trump, who recently criticized the UK over the arrest of an Irish comedian for anti-transgender posts, celebrated the suspension of American comedian Jimmy Kimmel following comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This highlights a perceived double standard in his administration’s stance on political expression at home versus abroad.
On the economic front, major commitments are expected. Companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Blackstone have pledged over $200 billion in investments in Britain over the next decade. Similarly, British firms, including pharmaceutical giant GSK, are planning investments in the United States. These pledges are a welcome boost for the British government, which is striving to stimulate economic growth amidst ongoing inflation challenges and trade uncertainties, particularly concerning tariffs on British products like steel and Scotch whisky.
Despite policy differences, one area of agreement is nuclear energy. Both leaders have backed a deal to expand nuclear power in Britain, with both administrations advocating for expedited approvals of new plants, marking a shared vision for a ‘nuclear renaissance’ or ‘golden age’ of nuclear energy. However, another significant point of contention is expected to emerge shortly after Trump’s departure: Prime Minister Starmer is set to confirm Britain’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, a move explicitly opposed by President Trump’s administration. The decision, driven partly by domestic political pressure and the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlights the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding the visit.
Thousands of protesters converged in central London on Wednesday, demonstrating against Mr. Trump’s visit, a stark contrast to the ceremonial reception from the royal family and political leaders.