Trump In Rare 2nd State Visit To The UK; Pomp And Pageantry Marred By Protest

LONDON, UK—U.S. President Donald Trump is on an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom, which commenced this week with a mix of royal pageantry and high-stakes political talks.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales, at Windsor Castle. The visit is marked by significant ceremonial events, including a large military guard of honor and a state banquet.

The political focus of the trip is a meeting between President Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the prime minister's country residence, Chequers. The two leaders are set to discuss a range of issues, with a new "Tech Prosperity Deal" being a centerpiece of the visit. This agreement aims to foster cooperation in key sectors like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and civil nuclear energy.

As part of the deal, major U.S. tech companies, including Microsoft and Nvidia, have announced substantial investments in the UK. Microsoft's commitment of $30 billion is intended to expand the UK's AI infrastructure and build the country's largest AI supercomputer.

The visit has also been met with protests in and around London, echoing the demonstrations that accompanied President Trump's previous state visit in 2019. The itinerary was largely planned to avoid major population centers.

Beyond the formal events, the talks between Trump and Starmer are expected to address critical global issues, including trade relations and international conflicts.

Cover image courtesy: AFP