Donald Trump will meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday for talks intended to spotlight global issues and bolster economic ties during the US president’s second state visit to the UK.
The meeting follows a day of pomp and ceremony, where Trump rode in a carriage with King Charles and attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. The two leaders are set to celebrate the unveiling of a £150 billion ($205 billion) US investment package in Britain, covering technology, energy, and life sciences.
The package includes a new technology pact, with companies such as Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, and OpenAI pledging £31 billion ($42 billion) in areas including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and civil nuclear energy. Officials say the agreements reaffirm Britain’s role as a key destination for US investment.
Despite the optimism, the encounter carries risks. At a joint press conference later in the day, Trump and Starmer are expected to face questions about their past connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer recently dismissed Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington over ties to the disgraced financier, while Trump’s own relationship with Epstein has drawn renewed 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 Evie Aspinall, director of the British Foreign Policy Group. “For Trump, it is important to him to show there is value in having close relations with him. For both sides, they realise there is a lot to be gained.”
Starmer plans to steer the talks toward foreign policy at Chequers, his country residence. He is expected to urge Trump to toughen his stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump recently called Russia “the aggressor” but has pressed Europe to end purchases of Russian oil before agreeing to stronger US sanctions.
On the Middle East, the prime minister is under pressure to raise Israel’s assault on Gaza. Trump has criticised Israeli air strikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar but has otherwise backed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while condemning European moves to recognise Palestinian statehood as “rewarding Hamas.”
Analysts suggest Ukraine and Israel could be the sharpest points of contention. “Those two geopolitical areas are likely to be the friction points in the conversations,” Aspinall noted. “There will be some awkward moments in those conversations.”
Even with challenges, Starmer hopes to use the investment deals to showcase renewed momentum in the “special relationship” and shift attention away from his domestic troubles. For Trump, the visit offers an opportunity to highlight his influence abroad and underscore the value of maintaining close ties with Washington.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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