Trump praises ‘eternal’ bonds between US and UK
US President Donald Trump said the so-called special relationship between the UK and US would endure.
“Seen from American eyes the world ‘special’ does not begin to do [the special relationship] justice. We are joined by history and fate and love and language and transcendent ties of culture, tradition, ancestry and destiny,” Trump said during his speech at the state banquet hosted by King Charles.
He said the bonds between the two countries were “priceless and eternal” before describing how he believes he’s transformed America in one year from “a very sick country” into “the hottest country anywhere in the world”.
Trump then offered a toast to our “great friendship” and to the king, before “God Save the King”, the UK’s national anthem, was played.
Trump prepares for talks with Starmer after day of pomp and ceremony
After a day of pomp and ceremony, a lavish banquet and mutual praise for the US-UK special relationship, the final leg of Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK will be more overtly political.
Having stayed the night at Windsor Castle, the US president will on Thursday travel to Chequers, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s country retreat, for bilateral talks.
The two leaders will also attend a business lunch with top US executives hosted by Starmer’s chancellor, Rachel Reeves.
Much will hinge on the planned press conference between the two men, when reporters are likely to search for any chinks in the special relationship.
The UK’s expected recognition of a Palestinian state next week, renewed efforts to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace with Ukraine, and the legacy of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein are all areas where the diplomatic niceties on display at Windsor Castle could be tested.
UK government awards contract worth up to ￡750mn to Palantir
The UK Ministry of Defence is extending a contract with data analysis and AI software company Palantir in a deal worth up to ￡750mn.
The US company has also pledged to invest ￡1.5bn in the UK over the next five years, including creating up to 350 jobs. Palantir has built software that offers armed forces AI-powered analysis of military intelligence.
The announcement is part of a ￡150bn package of investment in Britain by US companies that was unveiled during US President Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK.
The UK is Palantir’s second-largest market. In addition to the MoD, the company has contracts with several UK police forces and the NHS.
The company’s AI research unit is also based in the UK.