Starmer, Trump to discuss foreign investment

Reuters :

Donald Trump arrived at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s country residence on Thursday for talks designed to focus the U.S. 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 U.S. president and Starmer will celebrate the unveiling of a 150 billion pound ($205 billion) package of U.S. investment into Britain.

The deals, covering areas such as 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.

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 could quiz both over the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Starmer was forced to sack Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S. 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 Evie Aspinall, director of the British Foreign Policy Group think tank.

Trump would want to show there was value in close relations with Starmer, she said. “For both sides, they realise there is a lot to be gained.”

Trump, speaking alongside Charles 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 U.S. leader from straying into more sensitive areas, such as Britain’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”.