Trump to talk to King about Iran and Nato rift at ‘high stakes’ US state visit
Donald Trump has revealed he plans to speak to King Charles about the Iran war and tense relations with NATO during the king’s “high-risk” state visit.
The US president also plans to raise the UK digital services tax with the royal during a four-day visit next week. The President has threatened to impose tariffs on the UK if Sir Keir Starmer does not reduce the tax targeting many big technology firms.
“I’ll talk about everything,” Donald Trump said in a telephone conversation with Reuters. “I’ll talk about it. He’s a friend of mine and a great guy.”
Royal sources admitted the state visit to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence from Britain was “high stakes, high risk and high opportunity” amid strained relations between Britain and the US since the Iran war, including repeated attacks on Sir Keir over Britain’s refusal to take part in military action.
Shortly before the visit was announced, Trump issued a tirade on social media telling his allies, including the UK, to “buy your own oil”, adding: “The US will no longer be there to help you, just as you are not there for us.”
He also described British warships as “toys” in another jab at NATO allies for their failure to participate in joint US-Israeli strikes. The King is the head of the British armed forces.
In recent discussions, reports have suggested that the US may review its stance on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment for not supporting British military action against Tehran.
Royal writer Andrew Lownie, who wrote a biography of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, said: “The visit coincides with the biggest crisis in Anglo-American relations for a century.”
But he told the BBC it was the King who could influence President Trump, who has long admired the royal family.
Royal historian Ed Owens acknowledged his visit comes at a time of “very unusual” political tensions and will be a “major global event”.
Royal sources said the visit, which comes seven months after President Trump’s visit to Windsor Castle last year, would be a “delicate balancing act” but a bigger picture of the long-term US and UK friendship.
“Yes, we face current challenges, but the visit will also aim to celebrate our nations’ historic ties and create the conditions for this partnership to continue into the future,” they told the BBC. he said.
During the visit, the King will visit Virginia, New York and Washington DC, where he will meet privately with President Trump and deliver a joint address before the US Congress.
This is his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. It was the first speech to Congress by a UK monarch since Elizabeth II’s speech in 1991.
According to the statement made by the New York City Mayor’s Office on Friday, the King will also attend the September 11 commemoration wreath-laying ceremony together with Zohran Mamdani. The monument marks the site of the September 11, 2001 Twin Towers attacks.
During her visit, the Queen will gift a specially made toy of the Winnie-the-Pooh character Roo to the New York Public Library to complete a set of beloved characters from one of the institution’s collections.
The teddy bears belonged to the son of Winnie-the-Pooh creator AA Milne and are believed to have inspired the stories first published 100 years ago in 1926, but a kangaroo cub Roo was lost in the 1930s.
The royal couple will be guests of honor at the banquet to be held at the White House. The president told the BBC on Thursday he believed Charles could help repair relations with Britain.
“I know him well, I’ve known him for years. He’s a brave man and a great man. Those would definitely be positives,” Mr. Trump said.
