President Trump Wraps State Visit to U.K.
LONDON - President Donald Trump concluded his state visit to the United Kingdom on Thursday with a business reception and a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The visit, which began on Tuesday, was marked by pomp and ceremony, including a banquet at Buckingham Palace and a tour of the Churchill War Rooms.
At a business reception hosted by the U.S.-U.K. Business Council, Trump praised the strong economic ties between the two countries. "The United States and the United Kingdom have a long history of cooperation on trade and investment," he said. "We are committed to strengthening our partnership and promoting prosperity for both our nations."
In his meeting with Starmer, Trump discussed various policy issues, including Brexit and security cooperation. The prime minister emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties between the two countries despite the challenges posed by Brexit. "The U.K.-U.S. relationship is a cornerstone of our foreign policy," Starmer said. "We will continue to work closely with the United States on key issues such as trade, defense, and security."
Background on Trump's visit shows that it was part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between the two countries. In a statement, the White House noted that the visit aimed to "celebrate the special relationship" between the U.S. and the U.K.
Critics of Trump's visit pointed out that it came at a time when tensions between the two countries were running high over issues such as trade and security. "The timing of this visit is unfortunate, given the current state of relations between our countries," said Emily Thornberry, a Labour Party MP who has been critical of Trump's policies.
Despite these criticisms, supporters of the visit argued that it was an opportunity to promote economic growth and strengthen ties between the two nations. "This visit demonstrates the strong commitment of both governments to promoting trade and investment between our countries," said Adam Marshall, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce.
The meeting with Starmer marked the final event in Trump's state visit to the U.K. As he departed for Ireland on Thursday evening, Trump expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received during his visit. "I want to thank the people of the United Kingdom for their hospitality and friendship," he said.
*Reporting by Npr.*
