Trump's UK state visit shifts from pomp to politics and investment

U.S. President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a new technology partnership at a business roundtable Thursday, where they were joined by executives highlighting efforts to deepen ties on artificial intelligence and digital assets.

The agreement will create “billions of dollars in opportunities for American farmers to sell their products into the UK, reduce barriers to trade and give the U.S. manufacturers better access to the U.K.’s world-class aerospace supply chain which is really, really is world class,” Trump said at the event.

In recent days, Microsoft Corp., OpenAI and other American companies made public plans to spend tens of billions of dollars on technology infrastructure in the U.K. The British government has also touted investments totaling $250 billion (£150 billion) from American businesses, capped by commitments from Blackstone Inc., software company Palantir Technologies Inc. and logistics company Prologis Inc., that will result in creating some 7,600 jobs.

The leaders also touted joint efforts to streamline approval and construction of nuclear power plants which are seen as critical for powering energy-hungry data centers necessary for emerging technologies.

“It’s a blueprint to win this new era together, shape it according to our shared values and seize the incredible opportunities that are on offer,” Starmer said. “I want to thank all of you for supporting this vision. We have huge new investments from Nvidia, Nscale, OpenAI, Google, Salesforce and many more backing cutting-edge British jobs for years to come.”

Among the corporate executives at the reception were Nvidia Corp. CEO Jensen Huang, Blackstone Inc. CEO Stephen Schwarzman and Microsoft Corp. CEO Satya Nadella.

Thursday’s business reception showcased Trump’s approach to international dealmaking as the two countries look to intensify cooperation in science, technology defense and align their financial sectors.

The roundtable served as a cornerstone of a whirlwind — and unprecedented — second state visit for Trump, who was feted at a white-tie gala on Wednesday night by the British royal family. For Starmer, the highly-choreographed courtship is critical to his efforts to boost U.K. economic growth by drawing more international capital, and Thursday’s announcements may help justify the prime minister’s decision to invite the U.S. president despite their policy differences.

The two leaders held a bilateral meeting earlier Thursday, where the private discussions were expected to include thornier issues such the U.K.’s trade agreement with the U.S., Russia’s war on Ukraine and Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza, with low expectations for major breakthroughs.

Ahead of those delicate talks, Trump received a lavish and warm welcome from his British hosts, underlined by Wednesday night’s festivities at Windsor Castle. Both nations emphasized their longstanding relationship in speeches at the elaborate banquet for the president and First Lady Melania Trump, attended by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Catherine, as well as a host of Trump aides and family members.

“We’re like two notes in one chord or two verses of the same poem, each beautiful on its own, but really meant to be played together,” said Trump.

In his remarks, Charles noted “splendid” British golf courses and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, saying: “It is remarkable to think just how far we have come. I cannot help but wonder what our forebears from 1776 would make of this friendship today.”

Within the flowery phrases, each sent some carefully worded messages, with the king emphasizing conservation and support for Ukraine and Trump pledging to “stand for the values of the people of the English-speaking world.”

The evening played out against a backdrop of global and domestic tensions that saw anti-Trump protests outside the castle and in central London. But the numbers who gathered under the gray skies were modest, and they were kept well away from the events.

Trump — whose affection for British royalty is well established — in any case seemed enamored with the charm offensive, which included a ride in a gilded horse-drawn carriage, a formal lunch with the royal family and a Red Arrows flyover.

The president laid a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, who hosted him during his first state visit in 2019. And his party toured an exhibit that included a first edition text of Captain John Smith’s account of his time in the Virginia colony, as well as letters to King George III detailing the status of American revolutionary efforts.

Trump and Starmer are expected to hold a joint press conference later Thursday, which has the potential to highlight some of their policy divergences and issues both would prefer to avoid.

In particular, Starmer has been engulfed in domestic political turmoil around his judgment, after he appointed Peter Mandelson as the U.K.’s ambassador in Washington only to dismiss him following the emergence of damaging emails detailing Mandelson’s links to sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump has also faced questions over his past interactions with the late disgraced financier. He said he has nothing to hide in connection with Epstein, saying the two fell out decades ago.

As Trump was ensconced in Windsor Castle, organizers from the Stop Trump Coalition drew crowds of demonstrators to central London, culminating in a large rally at Parliament Square.

Emily Hunter, a 32-year-old charity worker from Buckinghamshire who joined the protest march with her mother and a colleague, said she was “horrified” by Trump’s treatment, and that he shouldn’t have “a red carpet rolled out for him.”

“We should be sending him a message that he isn’t welcome here,” she said.

The prime minister took a different view in a statement hailing the U.S. investments.

“Jobs, growth and opportunity is what I promised for working people,” he said. “And it’s exactly what this State Visit is delivering.”

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—With assistance from William Standring and Alan Crawford.