Starmer seeks trade, investment gains as Britain rolls out royal red carpet
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised the “special relationship” with Britain during his historic second state visit, calling it “one of the highest honours” of his life as King Charles hosted him at Windsor Castle.
The Trumps were welcomed with lavish ceremony — a carriage procession, military parade, and a banquet in the 1,000-year-old royal residence. “The bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal. It’s irreplaceable and unbreakable,” Trump declared.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who invited Trump shortly after his return to the White House in January, hopes to translate the president’s affection for Britain and the monarchy into concrete gains. His government is pushing for deeper trade ties, billions in U.S. investment, tariff relief, and support on Ukraine and Israel.
Tech giants including Microsoft, Nvidia, Google and OpenAI have already pledged £31 billion ($42 billion) in UK investments in AI, quantum computing and nuclear energy. Starmer is seeking further progress on tariffs still affecting steel, whisky and salmon.
At the Windsor banquet, King Charles highlighted the shared economic agenda: “The United Kingdom was your partner in the first trade deal of your administration, Mr President… and no doubt we can go even further as we build this new era of our partnership.”
The visit, however, comes with challenges. Trump remains deeply unpopular with many Britons, and protests accompanied the pageantry in London and Windsor. Starmer, facing falling approval ratings, is betting that royal ceremony can help secure political and economic dividends.
Uncomfortable questions also shadow the trip. Trump’s past ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein have resurfaced, as did the sacking of UK ambassador Peter Mandelson over his own Epstein links. Police arrested four people on Tuesday after projecting images of Trump and Epstein onto Windsor Castle. Among the banquet guests was media mogul Rupert Murdoch, currently being sued by Trump over Epstein-related reporting.
Diplomatic tensions may also loom, with reports that Britain could announce recognition of a Palestinian state after Trump’s departure — a move opposed by Washington.
For Trump, though, the first day was all about spectacle. He toured royal collections, laid a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb, and praised Prince William and Princess Kate during a private meeting. He called Charles a “very, very special man” and described Kate as “beautiful.”
Attention now turns to Thursday’s talks at Chequers, where Starmer will press for trade, tariffs and investment beyond the ceremony.
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