The British Red Carpet, Tempting for a Deal!
US President Donald Trump's state visit to the UK began at Windsor Castle with royal pomp: a welcome by King Charles and the royal family, a carriage procession, a military flypast, and a state dinner. This ceremonial agenda was designed to warm relations ahead of a series of trade and security meetings.
The following day, Trump was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The focus was on trade cooperation, civil nuclear energy, technology, and coordination on Ukraine—but no major breakthroughs were expected anytime soon.
Outside the palace, things were not entirely smooth. Police arrested four people after images of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto one of Windsor Castle's towers, while separate protests were also planned in central London.
However, a technology cooperation package was in the spotlight: the UK and US signed a "tech prosperity deal" worth around £31 billion (approximately $42 billion) for AI, quantum computing, and energy infrastructure—along with pledges of tens of billions of dollars in spending from US giants like Microsoft and AI partners.
On the corporate side, GSK has committed to investing $30 billion in the US over the next five years—in line with efforts to strengthen transatlantic economic ties. However, there's less good news for the UK steel industry: talks to cut steel tariffs to 0% have reportedly been temporarily halted, potentially leaving the issue hanging over the visit. (ayu)
Source: Bloomberg.com
