LIVE: Trump's State Visit Shifts to Chequers for Crunch Talks with Starmer

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.