Keir Starmer talked up his personal ties with Donald Trump today as he braces for potential ‘truth bombs’ at a joint press conference.
The Prime Minister remarked that the leaders have a genuine mutual admiration as they participated in a business meeting at Chequers, where a significant investment was unveiled as part of a technology partnership.
As they signed the agreement, Mr Trump said the relationship between the nations was an ‘unbreakable bond’ and ‘priceless’.
The US president’s State Visit has turned to politics after a first day focused on pomp and ceremony at Windsor.
Even though Mr. Trump has made efforts to maintain smooth relations during his visit, several sensitive topics could emerge when they address the press this afternoon.
The dismissal of the US ambassador Lord Mandelson over his communications with Jeffrey Epstein, concerns from the US about free speech issues in the UK, and the ongoing situation in Gaza are expected points of contention.
Sir Keir might not be assisted by Mr Trump’s love of long, free-form exchanges with the media.
Earlier in the day, the two leaders exchanged a warm handshake at the entrance of the Prime Minister’s country home, as Mr. Trump arrived in his armored vehicle known as ‘The Beast’.
An honor guard comprising RAF personnel from the nearby RAF Halton, accompanied by two RAF bagpipers, provided a formal welcome, with Sir Keir’s wife, Lady Victoria, also present at the entrance.
During a Royal banquet the previous evening, following a day filled with ceremonial hospitality, the president described his second official visit to the UK as ‘one of the greatest honors of my life’.
The King saw Mr Trump off from Windsor this morning, before he travelled by helicopter to Chequers. First Lady Melania has remained with the Royals for a separate visit.
Keir Starmer said the leaders ‘genuinely like each other’ as they oversaw a business reception at Chequers
The US president’s State Visit is turning to politics after a first day focused on pomp and ceremony at Windsor
Donald Trump and Keir Starmer began their talks in the opulent surroundings of Chequers this morning
Sir Keir seemed to be pointing out historical features in his country residence
Sir Keir’s wife Lady Victoria joined him in greeting Mr Trump at the entrance to Chequers, as they gave an awkward wave for the cameras
Sir Keir is welcoming Donald Trump to Chequers today as he braces for potential ‘truth bombs’ at a joint press conference
Pictured: Lord Mandelson (left) in a fluffy white dressing gown enjoying a chat with Jeffrey Epstein (right)
Sir Keir will be keen to keep eyes on pledges of US investment into the UK, after a £150billion announcement overnight by huge firms including Blackstone and Palantir.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will host a business reception in Downing Street for bosses at top US and UK financial firms, including BlackRock, Barclays and Blackstone in a bid to highlight Transatlantic economic cooperation.
Sir Keir told the president that the Special Relationship needed ‘leaders who respect each other, leaders who genuinely like each other’.
He said it was a ‘great pleasure for me personally’ to entertain Mr Trump.
‘You are among friends… there is so much to celebrate in the Special Relationship between our two countries,’ he said.
Mr Trump said he was ‘sincerely grateful’ for being invited to ‘this very special home, this beautiful place’.
‘And I was here a number of years ago, but somehow today, it looks even better, even more beautiful and even more historic. Melania and I are forever thankful to His Majesty King Charles the Third, and Her Majesty, Queen Camilla.
‘Had a fantastic evening last night, but the exquisite honour of a second official state visit, the first ever.
‘It’s the first time it’s ever been done, was really was an honour such great history, and to think it’s a first, it’s always nice to have a first, but the ties between our countries are priceless, and it’s really an inheritance, beautiful inheritance.
‘Today, we’re making those ties closer than ever before. We’ve done some things that financially are great for both countries, and we work together, and it keeps us together.
‘And I think it’s an unbreakable bond we have, regardless of what we’re doing today, I think it’s unbreakable.’
The PM will present the US leader with a bespoke ministerial red box styled to take back to the White House, as well as showing him items from the Churchill archives.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also have face-to-face talks at Chequers.
However, there are still questions about what the US might want in return – after a push to water down the UK’s digital services tax.
Hopes Sir Keir could deliver on his boast to have eliminated Mr Trump’s ‘beautiful’ tariffs on steel imports from Britain have also been dashed. No agreement is thought to have been reached on that element.
Downing Street is braced for a barrage of questions about what Sir Keir knew about Lord Mandelson’s relationship with notorious paedophile Epstein.
The subject is particularly sensitive because of Mr Trump’s travails over his own relationship with Epstein.
One Whitehall source said: ‘The PM does not want to talk about Mandelson at all, let alone Epstein, and everyone is acutely aware that Trump doesn’t want to talk about Epstein either.
Earlier, the leaders shook hands warmly on the doorstep after Mr Trump pulled up in his armoured limousine known as ‘The Beast’
The King saw Mr Trump off from Windsor this morning, before he travelled by helicopter to Chequers
The leaders saw each other alongside the King at Windsor Castle yesterday
The UK’s intention of recognising Palestine as a state could cause tensions between Mr Trump and Sir Keir (pictured, an Israeli strike on Gaza yesterday)
‘But there are obviously going to be questions and trying to answer them in a way that does not aggravate Trump is a nightmare prospect. The whole thing looks very fraught.’
Sir Keir has been facing Labour fury after publicly backing Lord Mandelson to stay on, before sacking him the following day.
In an interview on Monday the premier appeared to blame his staff for failing to brief him properly on the extent of Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, whom the former ambassador once described as his ‘best pal’.
But he failed to explain why he had not sought more information after Lord Mandelson publicly warned there were more ‘very embarrassing’ details to emerge.
