Trump lands in Britain for second state visit

Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, have landed in Britain for his unprecedented second state visit.

The US president and first lady arrived at London Stansted Airport and held hands as they walked down the steps of Air Force One before being welcomed by members of the King’s Colour Squadron, of the Royal Air Force.

The couple were greeted on the tarmac by Warren Stephens, the US ambassador to the UK, Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, and Viscount Hood, the Lord-in-Waiting, on behalf of the King.

Without answering any questions, the president boarded Marine One to be flown to Winfield House, the ambassador’s residence, before travelling to Windsor on Wednesday.

There was a heavy police presence at the airport for the president’s arrival, with some armed officers stationed on the rooftops and searches of vehicles and camera equipment being carried out.

Speaking on Air Force One en route to the UK, Mr Trump promised that his transatlantic trip would deliver the “best pictures”, with the Royal family set to dial up the pomp and ceremony for the Republican leader.

“It’s going to be a beautiful event. Everyone’s looking forward to it, and we’ll just relax and have a good time. Country’s doing well, stock market setting all sorts of records. And I think there’s never been a time like this,” he told reporters.

Before his departure, Mr Trump praised his “elegant” friend the King and described how “honoured” he was to be hosted at Windsor Castle, which he declared “the ultimate” royal residence compared to Buckingham Palace.

“He’s been a friend of mine for a long time, and everyone respects him, and they love him,” he said of the King.

“Tomorrow’s going to be a very big day.”

Outside the White House, Mr Trump said: “They have never used Windsor Castle like this before – they use Buckingham Palace, I don’t want to say one is better than the other, but Windsor Castle is the ultimate.”

The highly choreographed visit will mark the first time Mr Trump has seen King Charles since he became monarch, as well as the first ever occasion that an American president has been welcomed for a second state visit – a fact the president has mentioned repeatedly.

He is following in the footsteps of Ronald Reagan, who was the first US president to stay at the royal residence in 1982.

Mr Trump is arriving at a tricky time for Sir Keir Starmer while he deals with the fallout from the sacking of Lord Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to Washington.

The president hinted that he could help deliver some good news for the Prime Minister.

“Basically I’m there also on trade,” he told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One, the presidential helicopter.

“They want to see if they can refine the trade deal a little bit. We made a deal, and it’s a great deal, and I’m into helping them.”

He also said the US was making trillions of dollars from tariffs but added: “They’d like to see if they could get a little bit better deal.”

But much of the trip will be about the pomp of an unprecedented second state visit.

The president said he “loves” Britain as he arrived at the US ambassador’s residence in central London.

He said: “I have a lot of things here that... they warm my heart. I want to tell you it’s a very special place.”

Praising his host, the King, the president said: “He’s such an elegant gentleman, and he represents the country so well.”

Mr Trump and Sir Keir are expected to jointly announce economic deals worth up to $10bn (£7bn) focusing on science, nuclear power and defence technology.

One US official said: “This visit gives the president the opportunity to strengthen ties with a particularly close partner and ally, while advancing mutual economic and foreign policy interests.”

The Government hopes the soft power of the Royal family will appeal to Mr Trump as it seeks closer ties with Washington in relation to defence, security and energy, having already secured a favourable tariff deal.

After staying overnight at Winfield House on Tuesday, Mr Trump and Melania will then be treated to a day of pomp and pageantry with the extended Royal family at Windsor Castle.

On Tuesday night, an image of Mr Trump stood alongside Jeffrey Epstein was projected on to the castle by protesters anticipating his visit.

The series of images also featured Prince Andrew alongside Epstein.

Police were called to the castle and arrested four people on Tuesday night. 

Crucial moment for allies

On Thursday, the US president will hold a meeting with Sir Keir at Chequers before a press conference in which the Prime Minister will talk about strengthening the UK’s economic relationship with the US.

Mr Trump is not expected to put pressure on Sir Keir on freedom of speech – an issue of concern to the president’s allies, who have highlighted new online safety laws and the impact they could have on free expression.

However, contentious issues remain such as Sir Keir’s plan to recognise Palestinian statehood later this month.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s spokesman hit back at Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, who said that the UK’s move would make no difference.

The spokesman said: “We’ve long been clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, and it’s absolutely critical in protecting the viability of the two-state solution.

“Britain made clear that inalienable right, it’s why we’ve chosen to advance our position and make it clear to Israel that they must change course.”

Before boarding his flight, Mr Trump deflected questions about Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza City, saying he did not know much about it yet.

“We’re going to see what happens because I hear Hamas is trying to use the old human shield deal, and if they do that, they’re going to be in big trouble,” he said.

Israeli tanks are advancing into Gaza’s largest urban centre in an escalation of the nearly two-year war that Mr Trump has attempted to end.

He was also asked about Ukraine, another issue expected to come up in Thursday’s meeting with the Prime Minister. The US president underscored his demand that Europe stops buying oil from Russia.

He said: “He’s going to have to make a deal. Zelensky is going to have to make a deal, and Europe has to stop buying oil from Russia. Okay?

“You know, they talk, but they have to stop buying oil from Russia.”

Mr Trump is the first US president to be invited for a second state visit, and it comes at a crucial moment for the two long-standing allies, particularly after Sir Keir’s sacking of Lord Mandelson, his hand-picked ambassador to Washington.

Lord Mandelson was fired after more details emerged about his relationship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, a former friend of Mr Trump.

[Source: Daily Telegraph]