Starmer and Trump Hail ‘Unbreakable Bond’ as Major Business Deals Announced
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump praised the strengthening of their nations’ “special relationship” on Thursday, highlighting a series of deals worth £250 billion that have made those bonds “unbreakable.”
At the start of a business reception, leading figures from both U.S. and UK industries were welcomed by the two leaders, who commended their role in solidifying ties through investments in sectors ranging from technology to energy.
This was the second day of Trump’s unprecedented second state visit to Britain, which he described as an “exquisite honour” following a day filled with pomp and ceremony, including a “fantastic” state banquet at Windsor Castle with King Charles.
Seated side by side in a marquee on the grounds of Starmer’s Chequers country residence, the two celebrated the unveiling of a record £150 billion ($205 billion) package of U.S. investment into Britain, part of a larger £250 billion deal officials say will benefit both sides.
Starmer said, “This is a great day for the special relationship,”
expressing thanks to business leaders including Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang and GSK’s Emma Walmsley.
“A celebration of what has gone before, of course, but more than that, a moment to deliver investments, jobs and deals which will improve people’s lives now and light up the special relationship for years to come.”
Trump was equally enthusiastic: “The ties between our countries are priceless. We’ve done some things that financially are great for both countries … I think it’s an unbreakable bond we have, regardless of what we’re doing today. I think it’s unbreakable.”
Starmer promoted Britain as a prime destination for U.S. investment, focusing on financial services, technology, and energy sectors to attract American capital, develop infrastructure, and boost economic growth.
Although he appeared to accept that further reductions on steel tariffs were unlikely, he highlighted broader agreements, including a new technology pact involving companies like Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI pledging £31 billion ($42 billion), alongside £100 billion from Blackstone.
Earlier, Starmer and his wife Victoria warmly greeted Trump at Chequers to the sound of bagpipes—a nod to the U.S. president’s Scottish heritage—for a meeting that carries its share of challenges.
Later on Thursday, both leaders planned to hold a press conference where journalists might question them about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer recently dismissed Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S. after reports revealed his close ties with Epstein, and Trump’s own association with the late financier has also come under scrutiny.
“For Starmer, he is having a difficult domestic time and he needs a positive international narrative and to bring Trump on board on key issues,” said Evie Aspinall, director of the British Foreign Policy Group think tank.
Trump, for his part, would want to demonstrate the value of close relations with Starmer.
“For both sides, they realise there is a lot to be gained,” Aspinall added.
Starmer also hopes that Trump’s pride in attending the state banquet will discourage the U.S. leader from addressing sensitive subjects like Britain’s online safety laws or its stance on Israel.
Speaking at Wednesday’s banquet, Trump said Britain had
“laid the foundations of law, liberty, free speech and individual rights” under its empire and “must continue to stand for the values and the people of the English speaking world.”
A few hours later, Trump applauded the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump has pressured broadcasters to stop airing content he finds objectionable.
The two leaders will also discuss foreign affairs, with Starmer aiming to persuade Trump to take stronger action against Russia regarding its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Trump pleased Europe by calling Russia “the aggressor” in the conflict last weekend but insists Europe must halt all purchases of Russian oil before he agrees to tougher sanctions on Moscow.
He also criticised some European countries for recognising a Palestinian state as “rewarding Hamas,” though he told reporters he did not mind Starmer “taking a position.”
“Those two geopolitical areas are likely to be the friction points in the conversations,” said Aspinall. “There will be some awkward moments in those conversations.”
