US President Donald Trump arrived in Britain for an unprecedented second state visit, set to be marked by investment deals and a renewed emphasises on the transatlantic “special relationship” that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is eager to promote.
Ahead of Trump’s arrival, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves unveiled a new ‘Transatlantic Taskforce’ to deepen cooperation between two of the world’s leading financial hubs.
On Wednesday, Trump will be formally welcomed by King Charles at Windsor Castle, in a day of pomp and ceremony that Starmer hopes will help shield the visit from potential controversies.
The trip comes at a sensitive moment for both leaders. For Trump, it offers a brief distraction less than a week after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a close ally whose death has visibly shaken him.
For Starmer, the visit provides an opportunity to refocus on geopolitics and economic growth after a bruising fortnight that saw him dismiss both his deputy and US ambassador Peter Mandelson over ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer is using the visit to position Britain as a top destination for US investment, aiming to align financial services and energy sectors more closely with American counterparts.
High-profile executives, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Open AI’s Sam Altman, are expected to attend alongside announcements of multibillion-dollar business deals.
Microsoft has pledge more than $30 billion in UK investment over the next four years, while Google will commit £5 billion ($6.8 billion) including funding for new data center near London to meet growing demand for artificial intelligence services.
Calling the trip “a historic opportunity”, a spokesperson for Starmer said the state visit comes “at a crucial time for global stability and security”.
“The prime minister will discuss the challenges both our countries face and the opportunities as we enter a new era of our deep and unparalleled relationship”, the spokesperson added.
