AYLESBURY, Sept 18 — Donald Trump arrived at United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer's country residence on Thursday for talks designed to focus the United States (US) leader's unprecedented second state visit firmly on global affairs rather than domestic political problems.
After a day of pomp and ceremony in which Trump rode in a carriage with King Charles and feasted at a state banquet, the US President and Starmer will celebrate the unveiling of a £150 billion (RM858.8 billion) package of US investment into the UK.
The deals, covering areas like technology, energy and life sciences, will offer a renewal of the so-called 'special relationship' between the two nations, something Starmer has worked hard to cultivate since Trump became leader in January.
Epstein ties and 'free speech' differences may come up
Starmer, standing alongside his wife Victoria, greeted Trump warmly at his Chequers country residence to the sound of bagpipes for a meeting which is not without perils.
Later on Thursday, the two leaders will hold a press conference, when journalists can quiz both over the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer was forced to sack Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the US last week after his close ties with Epstein were documented, and Trump's relationship with the late financier has also come under scrutiny.
"For Starmer, he is having a difficult domestic time, and he needs a positive international narrative and to bring Trump on board on key issues," said think tank British Foreign Policy Group's director Evie Aspinall.
She noted that Trump would want to show there was value in close relations with Starmer, as both sides realise that there is a lot to be gained.
Trump, speaking alongside King Charles III at Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, described his visit as "truly one of the highest honours of my life".
Starmer hopes this sentiment will continue into Thursday and deter the US leader from straying into more sensitive areas, such as the UK's online safety laws and position on Israel.
Speaking at Wednesday's banquet, Trump said Britain had "laid the foundations of law, liberty, free speech, and individual rights" under its empire and "must continue to stand for the values and the people of the English-speaking world".
A few hours later, he cheered the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over comments made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump has pressured broadcasters to stop airing content he finds objectionable.
Starmer expected to champion deals
Instead, Starmer will want to champion the deals secured between the two countries, including a new technology pact with companies from Microsoft to Nvidia, Google, and OpenAI pledging £31 billion (RM177.4 billion) in investments over the next few years, in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and civil nuclear energy.
The UK premier appears to have resigned himself to not getting any further reduction on steel and aluminium tariffs, according to comments from an official playing down the prospect. But Starmer can say the UK is increasingly a destination for US investment, aligned to its financial services, tech, and energy sectors.
He will also turn the focus to foreign affairs, hoping to persuade the US leader to take stronger action against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Trump pleased Europe by calling Russia "the aggressor" in the war last weekend, but he is also demanding that Europe stop all purchases of Russian oil before he will agree to impose heavier sanctions on Moscow.
Concerning Israel, Starmer is under pressure to raise the assault on Gaza with Trump, who has expressed frustration over Israel's air strikes against Hamas leaders in Qatar but overall has been supportive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump has also criticised some European countries over their decision to recognise a Palestinian state as "rewarding Hamas", although he told the press he did not mind Starmer "taking a position".
"Those two geopolitical areas are likely to be the friction points in the conversations. There will be some awkward moments in those conversations," said Aspinall.
