Donald Trump and UK PM Starmer talk business

Skip next section Trump, Starmer to mix pomp with politics in UK finale

09/18/2025September 18, 2025

Trump, Starmer to mix pomp with politics in UK finale

After a day of gold carriages, salutes, and a glittering banquet at Windsor Castle, ‘s UK visit shifts to hard politics with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The leaders plan to sign a “tech prosperity deal” that British officials say will bring thousands of jobs and billions in AI, quantum computing, and nuclear energy investment.

US firms have pledged about 150 billion pounds (€173 billion, $204 billion) in UK projects, including $30 billion from Microsoft and a UK arm of Trump-backed Stargate, while UK companies promise nearly $30 billion in the US.

Trump, calling it a “great honor” to be hosted for a state visit again, will be greeted at Chequers — the countryside residence of UK premiers — with a ceremonial guard with bagpipers and treated to a Dover sole lunch, key lime pie, and a Red Devils parachute display.

But trade tensions remain. Talks to cut 25% steel and aluminum tariffs have stalled despite a May pledge to resolve them quickly, a delay the British Chambers of Commerce says would be met “with dismay” by the steel industry.

Starmer, facing sliding poll numbers and recent Cabinet turmoil, also braces for awkward moments. Questions about Jeffrey Epstein are likely at a joint news conference after he fired the UK ambassador to Washington over ties to the convicted sex offender. Trump is also facing persistent calls to release all government files on Epstein.

https://p.dw.com/p/50eYi

Skip next section Welcome back to our coverage09/18/2025September 18, 2025

Welcome back to our coverage

After royal fanfare at Windsor, President Trump meets Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers to sign a “tech prosperity deal” worth billions in AI, quantum computing and nuclear energy investment.

US firms have pledged about £150 billion (€173 billion, $204 billion), while British companies promise to invest nearly £30 billion in the US. Talks on steel tariffs, however, remain stalled.

Meanwhile, Starmer faces questions over the fired ambassador to Washington’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

https://p.dw.com/p/50eYj

Skip next section We’ve paused the blog for now09/18/2025September 18, 2025

We’ve paused the blog for now

We’ve paused coverage for now and will return to the blog once morning breaks in the UK.

https://p.dw.com/p/50eL1

Skip next section What happens on day two of Trump’s state visit to the UK?

09/18/2025September 18, 2025

What happens on day two of Trump’s state visit to the UK?

The US president and first lady will formally bid farewell to the King and Queen at Windsor Castle in the morning.

Donald Trump then heads to Chequers, the prime minister’s official country residence in Buckinghamshire, where the pair will hold a bilateral meeting.

Meanwhile, Melania Trump is set to see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library at Windsor Castle on Thursday.

She will then join the Princess of Wales at Frogmore Gardens for a meeting with the Chief Scout Dwayne Fields and members of the Scouts’ Squirrels program.

https://p.dw.com/p/50eDp

Skip next section IN PHOTOS: A lavish traditional state banquet that closed out the evening

09/18/2025September 18, 2025

IN PHOTOS: A lavish traditional state banquet that closed out the evening

https://p.dw.com/p/50eKr

Skip next section Trump calls UK state visit one of ‘highest honors’ of his life

09/18/2025September 18, 2025

Trump calls UK state visit one of ‘highest honors’ of his life

With a number of guests gathered in Windsor Castle’s St. George’s Hall, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and media magnate Rupert Murdoch, President used his speech to say he was honored to be the first president to be invited for a second state visit.

Calling it a “singular privilege” he added: “This is truly one of the highest honours of my life, such respect for you and such respect for your country.”

He also spoke about shared bonds, saying: “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.”

“The bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal,” he added.

https://p.dw.com/p/50eHw

Skip next section King praises UK-US special relationship at state banquet

09/18/2025September 18, 2025

King praises UK-US special relationship at state banquet

King Charles used his speech to hail the relationship Britain and the US have shared for centuries as he hosted President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle.

Reflecting on when America was founded on July 4 1776, claimed the current relationship between the two countries would have been unimaginable to George and King George.

“We celebrate a relationship between two countries that surely neither old George could possibly have imagined,” he said.

Touching on Trump’s British roots, and in a nod to the president’s favorite sport, Charles added: “I understand that British soil makes for rather splendid golf courses.”

King Charles highlights Trump’s efforts to end world conflicts

Since retaking office in January, Trump has used his influence to as well as negotiate peace across numerous conflicts globally. King Charles highlighted Trump’s efforts for peace, saying: “Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace.” He aslo added that both their countries were “working together in support of crucial diplomatic efforts, not least of which, Mr. President, is your own personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world’s most intractable conflicts, in order to secure peace.”

https://p.dw.com/p/50eHv

Skip next section Trump on UK state visit — here’s what happened on day one 09/18/2025September 18, 2025

Trump on UK state visit — here’s what happened on day one

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are on a historic two-day state visit to the UK.

The Trumps were greeted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla earlier in the day before the group rode in carriages for lunch.

After a day filled with royal welcomes and military pomp, Trump and Melania then enjoyed a regal banquet with members of the royal family in Windsor Castle (see posts above).

The King began the banquet by celebrating the UK’s “enduring bond” with the US, with Trump later adding that the visit was one of the “greatest honors” of his life.

Meanwhile, in central London, thousands of people turned out to protest the US president’s state visit.

https://p.dw.com/p/50eDh

Skip next section WATCH: UK rolls out red carpet for Trump

09/17/2025September 17, 2025

WATCH: UK rolls out red carpet for Trump

During a high-profile state visit to the UK, former US President Donald Trump received a lavish welcome at Windsor Castle, including a military parade and Red Arrows flyover. Greeted by King Charles and Prince William, Trump’s arrival sparked both ceremony and controversy. While some praised his leadership, thousands protested in London, citing concerns over human rights and democracy.

https://p.dw.com/p/50dwI

Skip next section WATCH: Trump enjoys UK royal pageantry

09/17/2025September 17, 2025

WATCH: Trump enjoys UK royal pageantry

Donald Trump received a Royal welcome on his second state visit to the United Kingdom. Why is Britain giving the US president such a pompous reception? DW correspondents report from the UK.

https://p.dw.com/p/50da5

Skip next section King shows special items of Royal Collection to Trump

09/17/2025September 17, 2025

King shows special items of Royal Collection to Trump

During President Donald Trump’s visit to Windsor Castle, King Charles offered a glimpse into the Royal Collection, showcasing a selection of historically significant items that celebrate the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States.

The display, on display in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, features pieces from the Special Collection that highlight moments of transatlantic friendship.

Among the items is a letter written by the Queen Mother in 1939, recounting a picnic at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s holiday home.

https://p.dw.com/p/50ciA

Skip next section Protesters want UK government to keep its distance from Trump 09/17/2025September 17, 2025

Protesters want UK government to keep its distance from Trump

Far away from Windsor Castle, in central , people are protesting against the royal treatment for Donald Trump.

They are concerned about what they see as the “rising tide of fascism.”

There are Palestinian flags, and people are protesting against Trump’s climate policies, while others are expressing solidarity with migrants.

What they all have in common: they want their government to keep its distance from the US president.

https://p.dw.com/p/50cjR

Skip next section IN PICTURES: Trump’s royal welcome

09/17/2025September 17, 2025

IN PICTURES: Trump’s royal welcome

https://p.dw.com/p/50cXe

Skip next section Trump at Windsor: Pomp, protest and his Jeffrey Epstein past09/17/2025September 17, 2025

Trump at Windsor: Pomp, protest and his Jeffrey Epstein past

US President Donald Trump was received with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle; however, beyond the castle walls, many did not welcome his unprecedented second state visit.

They were demonstrating against Trump’s policies and his past ties with the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

https://p.dw.com/p/50cQL

Skip next section Watch as it happened: Trump makes second state visit to UK

09/17/2025September 17, 2025