President Trump accepted an invitation from King Charles III for a second state visit to the United Kingdom, confirming his plans during a White House meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The meeting also saw Vice President JD Vance challenge Starmer over infringements on free speech in the UK, arguing such restrictions impact U.S. tech companies and American citizens.
The invitation was delivered to Trump in a letter from King Charles, which Starmer presented during their Oval Office discussion on ending the war in Ukraine. “This is really special. This has never happened before. This is unprecedented,” Starmer said while seated next to Trump. “His Majesty the King wants to make this even better than the last visit.”
Starmer, drawing laughs, pressed for an answer on the invitation. Trump responded enthusiastically, saying, “On behalf of our wonderful First Lady Melania and myself, the answer is yes, and we look forward to being there and honoring the King and your country. Your country is fantastic.”
President Trump stated that he and Starmer discussed measures to secure a ceasefire in the Ukraine war as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Trump tomorrow to finalize a minerals agreement.
The meeting took a sharper tone when Vance raised concerns about UK policies on free speech, stating they extended beyond Britain and had consequences for American companies and citizens. “We do have a special relationship with our friends in the UK and European allies,” Vance said, “but we also know there have been infringements on free speech that affect not just the British—what they do in their own country is up to them—but also American technology companies and, by extension, American citizens.”
Starmer pushed back, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to free expression. “We’ve had free speech for a very, very long time in the United Kingdom, and it will last for a very, very long time,” he said.
