Trump’s UK visit turns political as Starmer hosts high-stakes talks

Following a day of royal fanfare and carefully staged ceremony, US President Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK shifts gears on Thursday as he meets Prime Minister Keir Starmer for wide-ranging talks at Chequers. With tensions over trade, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and political scandals looming in both countries, the meeting marks a critical diplomatic test for Starmer, who has sought to position himself as a steady intermediary between Europe and an unpredictable US ally.