Trump's UK State Visit Turns To Politics After Regal Welcome
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on Thursday, welcomed Donald Trump to his country home of Chequers for talks on difficult issues, including trade, Ukraine, and Gaza, after the US president hailed his second state visit to the UK as the "highest honour".
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted Donald Trump at his Chequers country residence
United Kingdom:
On Thursday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Donald Trump to Chequers, the Prime Minister's country residence, for discussions on challenging topics including trade relations, Ukraine, and the Gaza situation, following the US president's description of his second state visit to the UK as the "highest honour".
Following a day filled with royal ceremony at Windsor Castle, Starmer proudly announced £150 billion of investment into Britain from major American corporations, including Microsoft and Blackstone.
"Jobs, growth, and opportunity are what I promised for working people, and it's exactly what this state visit is delivering," Starmer declared.
The Prime Minister has sought to position himself as a mediator between the unpredictable American leader and European allies, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict, aiming to secure additional commitments for Kyiv from Trump.
Starmer's cordial approach with the 79-year-old Republican has yielded some concessions in the ongoing trade dispute, with both nations signing an "economic prosperity deal" at the White House in May.
The UK hopes to obtain further trade concessions and is particularly eager to see the 25 percent duties on aluminium and steel reduced to zero, though Trump's non-committal remarks suggest an immediate agreement is unlikely.
"They'd like to see if they could get a little bit better deal. So, we'll talk to them," Trump stated before departing for Britain.
The shadow of Jeffrey Epstein may complicate discussions, as Starmer faces political challenges after dismissing the UK's ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, over controversies related to the diplomat's connections to the late American sex offender.
Epstein has also troubled Trump in recent weeks, with new revelations about their relationship in the 1990s, and this issue might arise during Thursday's press conference.
Nevertheless, Wednesday featured warm exchanges as the US leader received the full ceremonial treatment of a British state visit.
King Charles III welcomed Trump to Windsor Castle with royal pageantry including gun salutes, mounted cavalry, and bagpipe performances.
The two leaders shared laughs as Trump inspected troops at the castle west of London, in an elaborate welcome that catered to the mercurial US president's appreciation for ceremony.
Approximately 120 horses and 1,300 British military personnel—some wearing red tunics and gold-plumed helmets—honored Trump during a ceremonial guard that British officials described as the largest for a state visit in recent memory.
'Greatest Honour' The day concluded with a white-tie state banquet attended by 160 guests, including senior royals, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, media magnate Rupert Murdoch, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and golf champion Nick Faldo.
The menu featured watercress panna cotta with parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad, chicken wrapped in courgettes, and vanilla ice cream bombe with raspberry sorbet.
Musical selections included Trump favorites such as Nessun Dorma from Puccini's Turandot and a James Bond medley.
Before dinner, Trump told attendees the state visit was "truly one of the highest honours of my life," describing the UK and US as "two notes in one chord ... each beautiful on its own, but really meant to be played together."
In his address, the king commended Trump's "personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world's most intractable conflicts".
However, he also emphasized the environmental responsibilities leaders have to "our children, grandchildren, and those who come after them".
First Lady Melania Trump remained at Windsor Thursday morning to view Queen Mary's Dolls' House with Queen Camilla.
Her husband's itinerary keeps him isolated from the British public, among whom polls indicate Trump remains unpopular, with the entire visit taking place behind closed doors.
Approximately 5,000 protesters marched through central London on Wednesday, displaying Palestinian flags and banners with messages including "Migrants welcome, Trump not welcome".