 "Trump arrives in UK for historic second state visit, hails 'very good' relationship")
US President Donald Trump has arrived in the UK for his historic state visit, as he hailed the relationship between the two countries as “very good”. This is his second visit to Britain as the president.
“A lot of things here warm my heart,” the 79-year-old Republican told reporters after he arrived with First Lady Melania Trump. “It’s a very special place.”
The focus of Trump’s unprecedented second state visit would be on his meeting with the royal family, trade talks and discussion on international politics. In a sign of the pomp and pageantry to come, a guard of honour greeted the Trumps as they stepped off Air Force One at Stansted Airport near London.
“My relationship is very good with the UK. They want to see if they can refine the trade deal a little bit… I’m into helping them,” Trump said after a multibillion-dollar investment deal was announced during his visit.
Trump is the first US president to be invited for two state visits, after previously being hosted by Queen Elizabeth II during his last term in office in 2019, as Britain tries to keep the so-called special relationship alive.
‘Such an elegant gentleman’
Trump says that his main purpose of taking a trip down to Britain was to meet his “very good” King Charles. “He represents the country so well, such an elegant gentleman,” he said.
King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla and other senior royals, will host the event. Prince William and Catherine will take part in the ceremonial welcome, which will feature a gun salute, a military inspection, and a carriage procession through the Windsor estate for President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Meanwhile, politics will take over again on Thursday when Starmer hosts Trump at his country residence, Chequers, for talks focusing on trade and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe visit has been timed to line up with announcements of several investments in Britain – the latest being a pledge by Microsoft to spend $30 billion over four years.
Anti-Trump protests underway
But the British public will be kept far away from Trump, with the visit taking place entirely behind closed doors and heavy security.
A large anti-Trump demonstration has been called in London on Wednesday, while protesters projected images of Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto the towers of Windsor Castle late Tuesday.
The shadow of the Epstein scandal has hung over Trump for weeks after his administration declined to release files on the issue.
With inputs from agencies
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