LONDON, 14 Sept. - (ANA) - US President Donald Trump's unprecedented second state visit to the UK is an ideal moment to put pressure on the US president to secure relief on tariffs, MPs have said.

 

Liam Byrne, chairman of the Commons Business and Trade Committee, said Trump's upcoming visit is “no mere pageant”, calling it "a test of whether Britain and America build a safer, richer future – or remain trapped in tariff fights that serve neither nation well".

 

The UK and US signed a trade deal in June that reduced tariffs on car and aerospace imports to the US, but failed to agree on terms for British steel, leaving tariffs at 25%.

 

While the committee welcomed the Government securing swift tariff relief for key sectors, it is now urging prime minister Keir Starmer to agree the final terms of the so-called prosperity deal with Trump.

 

However, efforts to secure free trade risk being overshadowed by the sacking of the UK's ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, after it emerged he admitted to keeping in contact with paedophile financer Jeffrey Epstein after his friend's 2008 conviction for soliciting a child for prostitution.

 

The scandal is likely to be top of the agenda for journalists at a joint press conference between Starmer and Trump, with questions raised over the PM's judgement, as well as the president's own ties with Epstein.

 

It comes amid heightened political tensions on both side of the Atlantic, following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which saw supporters in London take to the streets; and Saturday's 'Unite the Kingdom' rally in London, organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

 

 

 

 

The president will arrive on the evening of Tuesday, 16 September, and he will depart on the evening of Thursday, 18 September.

 

Trump will be the first US president ever to have a second state visit to the UK, after he was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2019.

 

Sir Keir Starmer made the offer when the prime minister flew to Washington soon after the president was inaugurated in January.

 

Eager to keep Trump happy and avoid being subjected to a trade war, Starmer gave the president a handwritten letter from King Charles inviting him to the UK.

 

This time round, the president will be hosted by the Royal Family at Windsor Castle, and he will only be in the UK for around 48 hours, with his trip taking place almost entirely outside the capital.

 

Trump, who is a known fan of the Royal Family, will be the first world leader in modern history to be hosted by two British monarchs.

 

 

 

 

Although some finer details are still to be confirmed, we know roughly what the president will be doing and where he will be doing it.

 

He will be greeted by the US ambassador to the UK and Viscount Hood, lord-in-waiting and then taken to Windsor Castle, where he and first lady Melania will stay.

 

The Trumps will remain in the castle’s private estate on Wednesday, 17 September, and stay at the royal residence overnight.

 

At some point, the Trumps will also lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.

 

On the Wednesday, the Trumps are to be greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales before being formally welcomed by the King and Queen.

 

They will have a carriage procession through the Windsor estate, with numerous displays carried out by members of the UK's armed forces, including a flypast by the Red Arrows.

 

They will also be taken to see a special display of the Royal Collection relating to the UK's relationship with the USA.

 

The traditional grand state banquet is set to take place at Windsor Castle in the evening, with both Trump and Charles set to give speeches.

 

On Thursday, 18 September, the Trumps will travel to Chequers, the prime minister's estate, and will be greeted by Starmer and his wife, Lady Victoria.

 

Trump will stop off for a personal view of the Sir Winston Churchill archives held at Chequers, before having political and business meetings, before he departs later that evening.

 

 

 

 

Yes, the first lady will accompany Trump for most of the visit, and she will tour Frogmore Gardens to inspect the work of the Scouts’ Squirrels programme as they learn about nature to achieve their Go Wild badge. Kate has been joint president of the Scout Association since 2020.

 

Trump will also be bringing numerous high-profile Americans with him on the trip.

 

Sky News has reported the chief executive of Nvidia, Jensen Huang, will accompany him, as well as Sam Altman, the boss of OpenAI.

 

They also said Apple chief executive Tim Cook was considering coming to the banquet on Wednesday evening.

 

 

 

 

A group called the Stop Trump Coalition are planning protests in both Windsor and London during 

the president's trip.

 

Their biggest protest will be held in London's Parliament Square on the afternoon of 17 September.

 

The group is supported by numerous political organisations in the UK, including Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Black Lives Matter and the National Education Union.

 

 

 

 

It's unlikely we'll ever get a true cost of the state visit, but it is going to cost a lot.

 

During his last state visit the Met Police said it cost them £3.5m, with more than 6,300 officers deployed.

 

The extensive security operation will also involve the UK and US secret services and likely some of both of the nations' military forces.

 

This time round, the president will also be spending significant time at Windsor, which is under the jurisdiction of Thames Valley Police and will likely add to costs.

 

The security operation will also have some economic costs, as numerous roads will be closed for the president as he moves around.

 

This is all before we consider the pomp that will be rolled out, Red Arrow flight displays and military parades aren't cheap.

 

Keeping him and his party fed will also be expensive.

 

It was reported that the banquet hosted for French president Emmanuel Macron in July cost £300,000 to feed its roughly 160 guests.

 

This somewhat put the King to shame as the meal he was served on a state trip to Paris caused a minor scandal due to its cost.

 

French media reported that the lavish lobster dinner in 2023 cost the French government €475,000 (£400,000), with just under a tenth of the bill going solely on wine.

 

The costs of pleasing Trump may end up costing even more.

 

He is known to be a huge fan of the Royal Family as well as a bit of pomp, so for the current government that is eager to keep the president happy, there may not be a cost they'd be unwilling to pay.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/14 September 2025 - - -