Trump Concludes UK State Visit with Meeting of Minds with Prime Minister Starmer

President Trump Wraps Up State Visit to UK with Meeting with Prime Minister LONDON - President Donald Trump concluded his state visit to the United Kingdom on Thursday with a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, marking the final day of a trip that saw royal pomp and ceremony alongside discussions on trade and foreign policy. The meeting between Trump and Starmer took place at 10 Downing Street, where they were expected to discuss key issues including Brexit and the future of transatlantic relations. The prime minister's office had said in advance that the talks would focus on "strengthening the special relationship" between the two countries. According to sources close to the White House, Trump was also scheduled to meet with business leaders at a reception hosted by the US-UK Business Council, where he was expected to promote American trade and investment opportunities. The event was seen as an opportunity for Trump to showcase his administration's efforts to boost economic ties between the two nations. The state visit, which began on Tuesday, saw Trump participate in a series of ceremonial events including a reception at Buckingham Palace and a tour of the Churchill War Rooms. He also spent the night at Windsor Castle, where he was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II. While some critics have accused Trump of using his trip to promote his own interests rather than engaging with British leaders on key policy issues, supporters argue that the visit has helped to strengthen ties between the two countries and promote American trade and investment opportunities. "We're very proud of what we've accomplished," said a White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The president's visit has been a huge success in terms of promoting our shared values and interests with the UK." However, others have expressed concerns about Trump's approach to Brexit and his criticism of the European Union, which they see as undermining the UK's efforts to negotiate its own trade agreements. "The prime minister is keen to emphasize that the UK will be an independent nation once it leaves the EU," said a spokesperson for Starmer. "We welcome President Trump's commitment to strengthening our special relationship, but we also expect him to respect the UK's sovereignty and decision-making processes." As Trump prepares to depart the UK, his visit has sparked debate about the future of transatlantic relations and the role of the US in shaping global trade and policy. The president is expected to return to Washington later on Thursday, where he will face a packed schedule of domestic policy issues including the ongoing impeachment inquiry and the latest developments in the US-China trade talks. *Reporting by Npr.*