Donald Trump has revealed he plans to talk to King Charles about the Iran war and strained relations with Nato during the monarch’s “high stakes” state visit.
The US president also plans to raise the UK digital services tax with the royal during the four-day visit next week. The president has threatened to impose tariffs on Britain if Sir Keir Starmer does not drop the tax, which targets several major tech firms.
“I’m going to talk about everything,” Donald Trump said during a phone interview with Reuters. “I’m going to talk about it. He’s a friend of mine, and he’s a great guy.”
Royal sources have admitted the state visit, to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence from Britain, is “high risk, high stakes and high opportunity” amid strained relations between the UK and US since the Iran war, including repeated attacks on Sir Keir Starmer over Britain’s refusal to join the military action.
Shortly before the visit was announced, Trump had posted a tirade on social media telling allies, including Britain, to “get your own oil”, adding “the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us”.
He also dismissed British warships as “toys” in another jibe at Nato allies for their lack of involvement in the joint US-Israeli strikes. The King is the head of the British armed forces.
Royal author Andrew Lownie, who wrote a biography of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, said: “The visit comes in the biggest crisis in Anglo-American relations for a century.”
However, he told the BBC that if anyone can influence President Trump, who has long admired the royal family, it is the King.
Royal historian Ed Owens agreed his visit takes place at a time of “very unusual” political tensions and will be a “huge global event”.
Royal sources have said the visit, which comes seven months after President Trump’s visit to Windsor Castle last year, will be a “delicate balancing act”, but say there’s a bigger picture of long-term US and UK friendship.
“Yes, we face current challenges, but the visit will also seek to celebrate our nations’ historic ties and create the conditions for that partnership to continue long into the future,” they told the BBC.
During the visit, the King will make stops in Virginia, New York and Washington DC, where he will meet privately with President Trump and deliver a joint address before the US Congress.
The King will also take part in a 9/11 memorial wreath-laying ceremony with Zohran Mamdani, the New York mayor’s office said on Friday. The memorial marks the site of the September 11, 2001 Twin Towers attacks.
The president told the BBC on Thursday that he believes Charles could help repair the relationship with the UK.
“I know him well, I’ve known him for years. He’s a brave man, and he’s a great man. They would absolutely be a positive,” Mr Trump said.
