Trump's U.K. State Visit Assessment: Is Flattery Effective in Such Political Circumstances?
Headline: Trump's Second State Visit to Britain: A Mixed Bag of Results
Britain played host to US President Donald Trump for his second state visit, a rare occurrence among American presidents. The visit, marked by an "extra-large" guard of honor, a royal banquet in Windsor Castle, and flattering words from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, was not without its share of controversy.
Despite the pomp and flattery, no significant breakthroughs were made on contentious issues such as Ukraine or tariffs. The era when Europe could take US security guarantees for granted is over, and this visit was a reminder to Brussels and Europe at large.
Britain's strategy during the visit was to flatter Trump, avoid conflict, and secure alignment where possible. The British government's goal was to avoid disaster, extract some pledges from Trump, and demonstrate the continued strength of the "special relationship" between the UK and the US.
In the realm of defense and industrial production, the EU is well placed to lead, but Britain may act as a gateway. The UK considered the United States as a key cooperation partner in the fields of financial services, nuclear energy, and technology, announcing economic agreements worth over 10 billion dollars in these areas. Britain and the US agreed to align on technology, particularly AI and quantum, a strategically significant move.
From a European perspective, the success of the visit is a question, with some suggesting it was not a major success in terms of tangible outcomes but avoided being a disaster. Sophia Gaston, Senior Fellow at King's College London, believes that securing and cementing leader-level relationships is an important outcome in itself. She also commends Britain for being effective at exercising agency during its interactions with Trump.
On the other hand, Ed Owen, Senior Fellow with the Europe Center at the Atlantic Council, takes a more cautious stance. He agrees that having face time and personal contact with Trump is important for influencing him, but he also warns that the remaining three years of the Trump presidency will be challenging ones for European countries.
The one issue where the UK and Europe remain firmly aligned is climate. Brussels must be clear where it adds value, particularly in advanced innovation, to maintain its influence. Gaston recommends other allies to think about how they can be really clear about their strengths and added value in this environment.
Thousands of protesters filled London's streets during the visit, voicing opposition to Trump's policies and urging Britain to distance itself from him. Tariffs remain at 25 percent, a source of disappointment.
In conclusion, Trump enjoyed the red carpet, but the visit was a reminder to Brussels and Europe at large: the days of relying on unconditional US backing are over. Britain has been able to secure cooperation in areas that align with Trump's America First view of the world. That is a key achievement, but it also underscores the need for Europe to adapt and assert its own strengths in the global arena.
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