President Trump concluded his two-day state visit to Britain with a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence outside London. Trump departed Windsor Castle after a night’s stay, where he praised King Charles III as a ‘great gentleman and a great king.’
Following a day filled with lavish royal ceremonies, including a white-tie dinner at Windsor Castle, the focus shifted to political discussions and economic announcements. The state visit, carefully orchestrated to highlight the enduring U.S.-U.K. relationship, offered a brief respite for Trump from domestic political pressures. While initial royal engagements largely steered clear of contentious political topics, the meeting with Prime Minister Starmer was expected to address more challenging issues, such as trade disagreements and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Key outcomes anticipated from the visit included major business deals. Companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Blackstone have pledged over $200 billion in investments in Britain for the coming decade, with British firms like GSK also committing to investments in the United States. These pledges are a welcome boost for the British government, which is keen to stimulate economic growth amidst a challenging landscape of rising inflation and potential tax increases. However, the Trump administration has not offered concessions on tariffs for British products, such as steel and Scotch whisky.
Despite significant policy differences, particularly on climate and energy, Trump and Starmer found common ground on nuclear energy. While Trump has advocated for coal revival and questioned renewable energy, and Starmer has pushed for ambitious climate targets and increased renewable energy production, both leaders agreed to accelerate the construction of more nuclear power plants in Britain, a move touted by both sides as a ‘golden age’ or ‘nuclear renaissance’ for the energy sector.
The visit also highlighted areas of tension beyond economics. Days after Trump’s departure, Prime Minister Starmer is expected to announce Britain’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly, a move that starkly contrasts with Trump’s opposition to such recognition. Domestically, thousands of protesters took to the streets of central London to demonstrate against Trump’s visit, a public display contrasting sharply with his official red-carpet reception.
Away from the political negotiations, First Lady Melania Trump remained at Windsor Castle for engagements with Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales, including a tour of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a century-old miniature palace showcasing British craftsmanship.