POMP, PAGEANTRY, POLITICS AND PROTEST DURING PRESIDENT TRUMP’S UK STATE VISIT

The UK rolled out the red carpet this week for an historic second state visit of US President Donald Trump. It was the first time that an American was treated to two state visits; this one at the special invitation of HRH King Charles III. The king’s letter of invitation was hand-delivered to Mr Trump by the British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to the White House in February this year.

The elaborate pomp and pageantry laid on for the presidential visit was also seen as reaffirming UK-US relations along both diplomatic and trade lines.

New US investments were announced into the UK tech sector and the nuclear industry, while further discussions were aimed at reducing new US tariffs on exports from Britain to its largest trade partner.

On the diplomatic front, a packed agenda included how the two countries align on matters ranging from Russia’s war on Ukraine, Israel in Gaza, relations with China, NATO(North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), and the European Union(EU).

The high-profile visit was not without its moments of high political drama encompassing several controversial issues in the US and the UK. There were several demonstrations against President Trump over his global and domestic policies, his political ideology and worldview, as well as matters surrounding his social and business dealings.

The American president was welcomed to the UK by the newly-appointed British Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, who also has portfolio responsibility for Cayman and the other UK Overseas Territories. As an opposition MP she had harshly criticised Mr Trump during his first term for what she called his “aggressive misogyny” and “appalling behaviour.”