The American President Donald Trump and His Wife Melania Will Be Welcomed by British King Charles at Windsor Castle This Week. Everything is being pulled out to start a royal charm offensive. Why is the United Kingdom Trying So Hard To Impress Trump?
“The UK Wants to Maintain a Special Relationship with the United States. It always hens to strengthen ties,” Professor Lieven Buysse explained to nu.nl. “The British See Themselves As Bridge Builders Between Europe and America,” Adds Clingendael Expert Rem Korteweg.
With all the royal pump and circumstance, The United Kingdom Knows How to Strike a Chord With Trump. The President Makes No Secret That Loves It. “He gets a kick out of Being recovered with so much regard,” Buysse Continues. “The British Know Better Than Anyone How to Flatter Trump With Symbolism, Tradition, And Ceremony. The Highlight of this is, of Course, A State Visit,” Says for short.
Trump Received a Letter from the King Last February in which he was invited for a second state visit. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Called the Invitation “Unprecedented” and “Historic.”
Starmer was not wrong, because it is Unusual for American Presidents to pay Another State Visit in Their Second Term. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama Were only allowed to come for tea and lunch with Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in 2022.
Invitation Came at a Critical Moment
The context in which the invitation was presented is at Least as Important, Accordination to Korteweg. Starmer’s visit to the white house followed shortly after the explosive conversation between Trump and Volodymyr Zensky.
The Ukrainian President was accused or ingratitude. Ukraine’s European Allies Saw Their Fears Confirmed That American Security Guarantees for Ukraine Might Be about. In Addition, Trump Threatesed Trade Tariffs for his Major Trading Partners.
“Starmer’s Visit was Therefore Prepared Down to the Last Detail. And the Result was impressive, because the trade relationship between the uk and the us remained stable,” Says the Expert. “The British Now Have Confidence That They Can Deal with Trump to Some Extent. They They They Can Fulfill Their Traditional Bridging Function between the Eu And The Us, And Thus Present Themselves A Little More As The Leader Of Europe.”
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State Visit As A Tool can only be used to a limited extent
There are political files that are a little less concrete, but where the uk also horses to mintain a good relationship with the us. The Pomp and Circumstance of the State Visit Can Help With This. “Think of files Such as the war in Ukraine, Issues Playing at Nato, and Economic Relations Such As Import Duties,” Says Buysse.
The Professor Thinks Starmer Hopes for a nice conversation between Trump and the King that will Ensure that the President Will Start the Conversation with the Prime Minister in A Good Mood Afterwards. “I suspect that Charles Has Received a Few Topics For Discussion from Starmer, With Concerns From The Government. In Addition, The American Government May also have Points that Charles Can Respond To,” Says Buysse.
For Example, Trump is concerned about Freedom of Expression in the UK, because there are stories circulating on social media that it has decreased. “Charles can then indicate that it is one narrative and that it does not correspond to reality.”
Korteweg Expects That Charles Will also Serve as a Lightning Rod for Starmer. “The Prime Minister is under pressure in his own country. He is not popular. But neith is Trump. Can Starmer Afford to Be Seen Tryping to Appease Trump?” The expert Wonders. Starmer Will Therefore Probable Be Less Prominent Duration the State Visit, Korteweg Expects.
With A Second State Visit, The UK is Maneuvering Itelf Into A Difficult Position. Because you use that tool again the next time you want to appease trump? “Many Countries Seem to Focus Mainly On Short-Term Trump Management. But what do you do after that?” Korteweg Wonders. “There is not much room to maneuver.”