U.S. President Donald Trump is currently in the United Kingdom for a two-day state visit, which aims to reaffirm the trans-Atlantic bond amid ongoing differences concerning issues such as Ukraine, the Middle East, and the future of the Western alliance. This visit is significant as Trump is the first U.S. president to be invited for a second state visit in the U.K.
King Charles III is hosting Trump at Windsor Castle, where the president and first lady Melania Trump will experience royal traditions, including horse-drawn carriage rides, honor guards, and a sumptuous white-tie banquet scheduled for Wednesday. After the formal welcoming ceremony, Trump is expected to hold discussions with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the Prime Minister's rural retreat, on Thursday.
London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, has publicly voiced his criticism of Trump, stating that the president has helped fuel divisive, far-right politics globally. Ahead of a planned protest against Trump’s visit, Khan remarked in an article that many Londoners would express their dissent towards Trump's polarizing influence. Khan, a Labour Party member who has served as London’s mayor since 2016, has engaged in a long-standing back-and-forth with Trump, particularly following the president’s controversial campaign pledge in 2015 to ban Muslims from entering the U.S.
Preparations in Windsor are underway, with hundreds of soldiers, gardeners, and chefs ensuring that the Trumps receive an excellent royal welcome. The visit will feature a carriage ride through the Windsor estate, military ceremonies, and a prestigious banquet at the magnificent Waterloo Table, which accommodates up to 160 guests and utilizes an extensive silver-gilt dining service consisting of over 4,000 pieces.
The atmosphere in Windsor is festive, with both American and U.K. flags decorating the streets as tourists converge around the historic Windsor Castle. While some onlookers expressed excitement to see Trump, protests are planned, with demonstrators gathering to chant phrases like "Dump Trump" and "Trump go home." Larger protests are anticipated to take place in central London.
Among the business leaders accompanying Trump during his visit are Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Reports indicate that Nvidia and OpenAI may announce significant investments in U.K. data centers during Trump’s visit. Trade discussions between Starmer’s government and the U.S. are also projected to be on the agenda, as the U.K. seeks to secure favorable terms from its largest single economic partner, which accounts for 18% of total British trade.
While Starmer has been noted for his ability to engage with Trump, his attempts to persuade the president to uphold U.S. support for Ukraine have been met with limited success. Recently, Trump downplayed the seriousness of a Russian drone incursion into Poland, an incident that garnered strong condemnation from European allies and pledges for increased military presence in Eastern Europe. Additionally, Starmer plans to push for the U.K. to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations, which diverges from Trump's policies regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Trade negotiations were highlighted by Trump, who indicated that U.K. officials are eager to improve their trade agreement with the U.S., building on a prior arrangement that had reduced tariffs on key sectors. However, a final agreement remains unachieved regarding critical areas like pharmaceuticals, steel, and aluminum.
