U.S. Trump to Make Historic Second State Visit to the UK in September

[Financial News] U.S. President Donald Trump is set to make a historic second state visit to the UK as a U.S. president. The UK government is expected to discuss issues such as Ukraine and trade during this visit.

According to the BBC, Buckingham Palace announced on the 13th (local time) that Trump will visit the UK as a state guest from September 17-19. Trump had already made a state visit to the UK in 2019 at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II during his first term.

The UK royal family traditionally does not invite foreign presidents for a second state visit even if they succeed in re-election. Re-elected presidents typically spend their second visit to the UK with lunch or a simple tea party with royal family members. A state visit includes military parades, carriage processions, and a state banquet hosted by the monarch.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the UK plan to host Trump's second state visit at the royal residence, Windsor Castle, in September. Although the invitation is officially extended by the monarch, it is practically arranged based on the advice of the UK government.

According to the BBC, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced during his visit to the U.S. in February that Trump would be invited as a state guest. At that time, Trump reportedly responded, "A very, very great honor." Starmer and Trump are expected to discuss strengthening U.S. influence in the Ukraine war and reducing tariffs in UK-U.S. trade.

The BBC reported that it is still unclear whether Trump will address the parliament. Since taking office this year, Trump has continuously claimed that Canada should be annexed as the 51st state of the U.S. Nominally Canada's head of state, King Charles III indirectly criticized Trump's claim by emphasizing Canada's unique identity and sovereignty during a speech at the opening ceremony of the parliament in Ottawa, Canada, last May.pjw@fnnews.com Jongwon Park