WATCH: Trump's Royal Experience
LIVE: Trump's State Visit Shifts to Chequers for Crunch Talks with Starmer
U.S. President Trump meets UK PM Starmer at Chequers for crucial bilateral talks, announcing £150 billion in U.S. investments amid discussions on trade, foreign policy, and diplomatic relations.
After two days of royal pageantry and lavish banquets, U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom has moved from Windsor Castle to Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence, for a crucial meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The bilateral talks mark a shift from ceremony to substance, with both leaders hoping to showcase a strong alliance while navigating a minefield of potential diplomatic flashpoints.
The meeting is seen as a key diplomatic test for Starmer, who has sought to use Trump's historic second state visit to bolster the UK's position on the world stage. To set a positive tone, the UK government announced a colossal £150 billion in new investment pledges from U.S. companies, including a major commitment of £90 billion from private equity firm Blackstone. The investments are focused on technology, artificial intelligence, and nuclear energy, and are a key deliverable from a planned "tech prosperity deal" the two leaders are expected to sign.
Stalled Trade and Awkward Conversations
Despite the fanfare over the new investment, a number of thorny issues remain on the agenda. Talks on removing U.S. tariffs on British steel and aluminum have stalled, a point of significant frustration for the UK's steel industry.
The leaders are also set to engage in potentially difficult conversations on foreign policy. While the UK and U.S. have largely been aligned on Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza presents a major point of divergence. Starmer has reportedly delayed a planned announcement to recognize a Palestinian state until after Trump’s departure, a move widely seen as an attempt to avoid open disagreement during the press conference.
For Starmer, a successful summit would provide a welcome distraction from recent domestic political turmoil, including the loss of his Deputy Prime Minister and the firing of his U.S. ambassador. The ambassador was sacked over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a topic that has also dogged Trump and is expected to come up during the leaders’ joint press conference.
A 'Landmark' Meeting
For Trump, the visit has so far been a diplomatic triumph, reinforcing the "special relationship" and playing well with his domestic base. While his time at Windsor Castle was choreographed to keep him away from large-scale protests, the Chequers meeting will be the first opportunity for the press to question both leaders together.
The summit, described by some as "Chequers '25," has the potential to be a landmark moment in UK-U.S. relations, for better or worse. Regardless of the outcome, both leaders are keen to project an image of a unified front, despite the challenges that lie just beneath the surface of their partnership.