Trump Arrives in the UK, Received Like Royalty by Charles; Carriage Ride and Windsor Visit Follow
Westminster is currently closed as both the Labour and Conservative parties are holding their conferences, allowing London to briefly escape the atmosphere of the state visit by US President Donald Trump. The visit, described as "historic" by the White House, marks a significant moment in Anglo-American relations.
Trump's visit is being marked by ancient rituals and a guard of honor, aiming to make him feel like a king. However, the days of the close alliances with Thatcher-Reagan and the anti-Saddam Hussein alliance with Bush and Tony Blair are long gone. The axis between the US and the UK remains solid, but the dynamics have undeniably shifted.
The US president has a good relationship with Keir Starmer, the UK's Labour Party leader. This was evident in their meetings in July and August, following Trump's meeting with Putin in Anchorage. The upcoming business forum on Thursday is expected to further deepen economic ties and secure multi-billion dollar investments.
The trade deal between the US and the UK has already been signed, and the events and meetings of the next 48 hours will take place in Windsor (west of London) and Chequers (in the south). The highlight of the visit could potentially be the official announcement of the agreement for the construction of small nuclear power plants, worth over $10 billion. This project could reduce European dependence on Russian oil and gas.
The nuclear power plant project is not the only point of discussion. The meeting between Keir Starmer and Donald Trump ahead of the official announcement on small modular reactors signals an effort to strengthen the "special relationship" between the UK and the US. The visit also includes a delegation of tech and hi-tech entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley, indicating a focus on technology and innovation.
The state visit is not without controversy. There were concerns about a speech by Donald Trump in the temple of British democracy when the invitation was delivered to him in February. British activists have displayed a giant poster of Trump and his former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, on a lawn, drawing attention to the ongoing legal proceedings against Maxwell in the US.
The current monarch is King Charles III, and his wife is Camilla. Lord Peter Mandelson, former British ambassador to the United States, was removed from his post due to his connection to the pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Despite these issues, the visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both nations to discuss cooperation on trade, technology, and security issues.
Trump is accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump during the visit. The state visit is a testament to the enduring bond between the US and the UK, even as the nature of the relationship evolves with the passage of time.
