Trump Meets Starmer After Windsor Pomp to Discuss Politics, Trade/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump turned from royal ceremony to politics Thursday, meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers. The leaders discussed tech deals, steel tariffs, Ukraine, and Gaza, alongside major U.S.-U.K. investment pledges. The visit highlighted Trump’s popularity abroad but posed political risks for Starmer at home.
Trump-Starmer State Visit Quick Looks
- Trump and First Lady hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.
- Lavish banquet, gold-trimmed carriages, and largest-ever military honor guard.
- Thursday: Talks at Chequers on trade, Ukraine, Gaza, and AI investment.
- U.S. firms pledged £150 billion ($204 billion) in U.K. investment.
- Blackstone alone committed £90 billion ($122 billion) over 10 years.
- Britain pledges $30 billion in U.S. investments, including GSK.
- New “tech prosperity deal” to expand AI, quantum, and nuclear projects.
- Microsoft to invest $30 billion in U.K. AI supercomputing projects.
- Ongoing dispute: steel and aluminum tariffs remain unresolved.
- Starmer faces political headwinds: resignations, tax scandal, lagging polls.
- Epstein scandal casts a shadow; UK envoy Mandelson fired over past ties.
- Ukraine tensions loom after Russian drone incident in Poland.
- Trump suggests Zelenskyy may need to “make a deal” with Russia.
- Middle East divide: Starmer pledges Palestinian recognition; Trump opposes.
- Royal banquet speech by King Charles subtly nudged support for Ukraine.
Deep Look
From Ceremony to Strategy
AYLESBURY, England — After a dazzling royal welcome of horse-drawn carriages, artillery salutes, and a glittering Windsor Castle banquet, President Donald Trump shifted from pomp to politics on Thursday. He sat down with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the U.K. leader’s countryside retreat, for weighty talks on technology, trade, and global conflicts.
The symbolism was unmistakable. Trump, the first U.S. president to receive two state visits to Britain, enjoyed the kind of grandeur that reinforces his brand at home: an “unprecedented” honor guard, golden carriages, and Britain’s monarchs at his side. But beyond the glitter, hard political issues dominated the second day of his trip.
A Showcase of “Special Relationship”
The prime minister greeted Trump with a ceremonial guard featuring bagpipers — a nod to Trump’s Scottish heritage. Inside Chequers, the pair viewed Churchill memorabilia before a lunch of Dover sole and key lime pie. Outside, the Red Devils parachute team staged a patriotic display.
Starmer’s government is keen to emphasize the “special relationship” coined by Winston Churchill, presenting new trade and tech deals as evidence that ties remain strong.
Tech, Trade, and Investment
Britain announced that U.S. firms pledged £150 billion ($204 billion) in investments. Blackstone leads the way with £90 billion earmarked for projects over the next decade. GSK will channel nearly $30 billion into U.S. operations.
Central to the visit is a “tech prosperity deal”, aimed at bolstering AI, nuclear energy, and quantum computing partnerships. The agreement includes:
- A U.K. arm of Stargate, Trump’s AI infrastructure initiative.
- 31 billion pounds ($42 billion) in American AI sector investment.
- A $30 billion Microsoft pledge, including Britain’s largest supercomputer project.
Yet, disagreements linger. Britain’s digital services tax and online regulation remain sticking points, with officials insisting they did not trade concessions for U.S. investments.
The thorniest issue remains steel and aluminum tariffs. Despite earlier promises, U.S. duties of 25% are still in place. The British Chambers of Commerce warned the failure to reach zero tariffs would deeply harm U.K. steelmakers.
Starmer’s Political Struggles
For Starmer, the timing is awkward. Fourteen months after a landslide victory, his Labour government is struggling. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned over a tax error, and Britain’s ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, was sacked days ago for ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
This scandal threatens to overshadow the visit, as Trump himself faces renewed Epstein questions at press conferences. Political analysts argue that while Trump benefits greatly from the ceremonial visit, Starmer risks appearing weakened.
“It’s almost entirely to Trump’s advantage,” said Leslie Vinjamuri of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Testing Unity on Ukraine
Ukraine remains the most sensitive topic. Trump has grown skeptical of Kyiv’s strategy, suggesting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “will have to make a deal” with Moscow.
Meanwhile, a Russian drone incursion into Poland last week rattled NATO allies. European leaders pledged reinforcements, while Trump downplayed the attack as possibly “a mistake.”
At Wednesday’s Windsor banquet, King Charles hinted at unity:
“As tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine.”
Gaza and the Middle East Divide
Starmer also diverges from Trump on the Middle East. The prime minister intends for Britain to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations later this month — a move Trump has criticized, even threatening Canada for considering a similar step.
A Visit of Contrasts
The two-day state visit underscores a contrast: Trump’s carefully staged triumph abroad versus Starmer’s embattled position at home. The president departs Britain buoyed by headlines of royal splendor and investment promises. Starmer leaves hoping the political dividends outweigh the risks of awkward questions, unresolved tariffs, and divisions on foreign policy.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.