State visit set to mark 250th anniversary as US President outlines conditions for UK-US recovery
The President describes the monarch as "brave" and "fantastic", yet insists the UK government must tighten controls and open oil fields to recover from recent diplomatic friction
US President Donald Trump has stated that the upcoming state visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla could "absolutely" repair relations between the United Kingdom and the United States. Speaking in a phone interview with the BBC, the President described the King as a "fantastic" and "brave" man, noting that he has known the monarch well for years. The President indicated that the royal couple's presence would be a positive development for the bilateral relationship.
The visit, which is scheduled to begin next week, coincides with the 250th anniversary of US independence. The Foreign Office confirmed that the trip will celebrate a partnership defined by shared prosperity, security and history. The itinerary includes a private meeting with the President at the White House, an address to Congress, and travel to New York, Virginia and Bermuda, with the visit concluding with a return to the UK.
While praising the King, the President offered a conditional assessment of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's ability to recover his standing with the White House. Trump stated that the Prime Minister could only "recover" if he strengthened immigration policies and opened the North Sea for oil and gas extraction. The President noted that current immigration policies are weak and implied that without these specific changes, the UK government would have little chance of regaining full diplomatic favour.
This assessment comes amidst ongoing tensions regarding the war in Iran, where the two leaders have appeared at odds. Trump has repeatedly criticised the UK's level of support, describing his earlier calls for involvement as a "test" to see if allies would step up, rather than a necessity. He asserted that the US had already "wiped Iran's military out" and did not require UK assistance, though he maintained that allies should have been involved.
The interview also touched upon previous friction, including Trump's criticism of Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US. While the President previously labelled the appointment a "bad pick", he suggested the Prime Minister had "plenty of time to recover" provided the policy shifts were made. Prime Minister Starmer has previously stated that the UK will not be drawn into a "wider war", a stance that contrasts with the US President's expectations for allied engagement.
The President's comments highlight a clear divergence in expectations regarding the UK's domestic policy and foreign commitments. As the King prepares to deliver an address to Congress, the focus remains on whether the ceremonial nature of the visit can bridge the policy gaps identified by the White House, particularly concerning energy extraction and border controls.
