My Take | More pomp and pageantry than politics as Britain plays its ‘Trump card’

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wasted no time playing his “Trump card” when he visited the newly elected US president earlier this year. A smiling Starmer produced a letter from King Charles inviting Donald Trump to make an unprecedented second state visit to the UK. Trump happily accepted, describing it as an honour. Last week’s two-day extravaganza displayed more pomp and pageantry than politics. It was all about flattering Trump and making him feel special. But the point of this extraordinary exercise in currying favour with the president was to cement the “special relationship” between the two countries and bring much-needed investment to the UK. It was also hoped Trump might even be persuaded to see a few thorny issues from the British point of view. The trip was laden with risks, given the president’s unpredictability and potential to embarrass his hosts with controversial comments. He and Starmer disagree on some of the hottest topics. This meant the stakes were high. The prime minister could not afford the state visit to backfire. He is under enormous pressure. His deputy resigned this month, then he controversially sacked the ambassador to the US. Public concern about illegal immigration is on the rise and the ruling Labour Party is performing poorly in the polls. There is speculation Starmer may be forced to step down after local elections in May. At a time of crisis, the arrival of the president was a welcome distraction, a chance to make some positive headlines, shift the narrative and move on. Trump, whose mother was born in Scotland, has a soft spot for Britain, especially its royal family. For him, it seemed, the state dinner at Windsor Castle was the highlight of the trip. No effort was spared in massaging the president’s ego. He arrived by helicopter and must have enjoyed his brief ride in a horse-drawn carriage with the king, as part of a grand procession in the grounds of the castle. The ceremonial welcome involved 1,500 service personnel, with a 120-strong guard of honour including three of Britain’s oldest regiments. Trump was invited to inspect the troops. He seemed to be in his element. And there was more to come. The lavish state banquet in St George’s Hall was attended by 160 guests. The wine list even featured a vintage port from 1945, apparently to reflect Trump having served as the 45th US president. He doesn’t even drink. King Charles, in his speech at the banquet, spoke of the “unique and enduring bond between our two great nations.” But the king also made a point about the environment, pointing to the need to “restore the wonder and beauty of nature”. And there was a reference to “standing together in support of Ukraine”. The whole day was carefully choreographed and scripted. The public was kept well away. Trump is not popular in the UK. A recent poll found only 19 per cent of British people have a favourable opinion of him. Around 5,000 demonstrators joined a “Trump Not Welcome” protest in London. A huge image of the president with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was projected by activists onto the walls of Windsor Castle. Care was taken to ensure none of this inconvenienced or offended Trump. On day two, the president flew to the prime minister’s country retreat, Chequers. Bagpipes played and there was a parachute display. The reward for all this pandering to the president was the announcement of £150 billion (HK$1.5 trillion) worth of US investment in the UK and a “Tech Prosperity Deal”. For many, however, the highlight of the trip was to be the press conference that concluded it. Here, at last, was a chance for Trump to go off-script and plunge Starmer into yet more controversy. The journalists did their best to fracture the image of unity and friendship presented by the two leaders. Most questions targeted areas on which they are known to disagree. But Trump wasn’t playing ball. He was on his best behaviour. All the flattery and pageantry had paid off. He batted aside a potentially embarrassing question about Peter Mandelson, sacked by Starmer as Britain’s ambassador to the US over links to Epstein. Trump claimed he didn’t know the diplomat, even though he met Mandelson at the White House in May. This left Starmer free to reiterate his own position. Britain’s impending recognition of a Palestinian state was another possibly divisive issue. Trump admitted that he disagreed with the prime minister’s stance, but added that this was one of only a few points on which they differed. There was no criticism of Starmer. The president also resisted any temptation to weigh in on what some in the US see as a crackdown in Britain on free speech, allowing Starmer to assert his country’s long history of protecting the right. There were some encouraging words for the UK on another sensitive topic, the war in Ukraine, with Trump declaring that Russia’s President Putin had let him down. The most uncomfortable moment came when Trump spoke about illegal immigration, suggesting Starmer should put a stop to it, even if this requires using the military. But the press conference concluded without major blunders, barbs, or sources of friction. The British government breathed a sigh of relief, as the president departed and turned his attention to a telephone call with Xi Jinping. China was barely mentioned at the press conference. Trump talked about his love of Tik Tok. But he did spring a surprise, revealing the US was trying to regain control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, and saying: “It’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.” As for Britain, the trump card has been played. And it might have won a trick. But the game is far from over and there are many hands to be played. Susie Wiles, the president’s chief of staff, was asked how much difference the visit will make to Britain’s ability to influence US policy. Her answer? None at all. Trump, at the state banquet, said Britain and the US are like two beautiful notes from the same chord, meant to be played together. Now, the challenge will be to ensure the harmonious tone struck during the state visit does not go out of tune.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | More pomp and pageantry than politics as Britain plays its ‘Trump card’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}For Keir Starmer, the US president’s state visit was a chance for some positive headlines. And it may have done just that – at least for now

My Take | More pomp and pageantry than politics as Britain plays its ‘Trump card’

For Keir Starmer, the US president’s state visit was a chance for some positive headlines. And it may have done just that – at least for now