Donald Trump and King Charles have sat down for tea with Melania Trump and Queen Camilla, just days after the US President said he would discuss “everything”.
The King and Queen arrived at the White House to meet the President and First Lady earlier this evening, marking a momentous occasion in Anglo-American relations.
Their Majesties are now taking tea with the Trumps at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the first engagement of what promises to be a significant diplomatic tour.
Mr Trump previously said he planned to talk to the King about “everything” during the royal state visit, including the Iran war, which has strained transatlantic relations.
The US President also said he would raise the issue of Nato, which he has lambasted throughout the conflict.
Mr Trump said: “I’m going to talk about everything … I’m going to talk about it. He is a friend of mine, and he is a great guy.”
Among other topics he was set to raise with the King was the UK’s digital services tax on American social media firms.
The President has threatened to impose a “big tariff” on Britain unless it drops the 2 per cent levy on the revenues of several major US tech companies.
Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump host Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla for afternoon tea
|
REUTERS
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has urged King Charles to confront Mr Trump over the Falkland Islands row during the state visit.
The Reform leader also expressed his support for the King to restore the fractured relationship between Britain and the United States in the aftermath of the public dispute between President Trump and Sir Keir Starmer.
Argentine President Javier Milei maintains a close alliance with Mr Trump, and Buenos Aires has persistently asserted its sovereignty claims over the British overseas territory.
Mr Farage outlined precisely what he believes the King should convey to the American President regarding the disputed islands.
LATEST ROYAL DEVELOPMENTS
King Charles and Donald Trump shared words over tea on the South Lawn
|
REUTERS
“I’d like him to say to President Trump that the Falkland Islands have never been Argentinian ever at any point in history and that’s the way it’s staying,” he said.
The Reform UK leader added that such a message from the monarch would be “very useful” in clarifying Britain’s position on the matter.
This request comes amid growing concerns that Washington may reconsider its stance on Argentina’s territorial claims over the South Atlantic archipelago, reportedly as a response to insufficient British backing for the conflict in Iran.
According to a Reuters report published last week, an internal Pentagon memorandum examined the possibility of reassessing American diplomatic support for what it termed European “imperial possessions”, including the Falklands.
Mr Trump previously said he wanted to discuss ‘everything’ with King Charles
|
REUTERS
The islands were at the centre of a military conflict between Britain and Argentina in 1982.
This is Their Majesties’ first visit to America since King Charles ascended to the throne, emphasising the enduring bond between the two nations.
This trip commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence, with Their Majesties set to travel across Washington DC, New York and Virginia over the coming days.
It marks the first state visit by a British monarch since the late Queen Elizabeth II travelled to the United States in 2007 for the Jamestown settlement anniversary celebrations.