1 hour ago
Starmer and Trump sign 'tech prosperity deal'
At one point Trump seemed to be referencing a script, but now he is just rambling about what he says are his achievements.
He says the US is ahead of China on AI.
The US will be the UK’s best partner, he says.
He says the king of Saudi Arabia recently said that, under Trump, the US had become “the hottest country anywhere in the world”.
He says the US economy is thriving.
The border has been “totally closed”, he says.
And he claims inflation is “virtually non-existent”.
(Like much of what Trump says, that last claim is not true.)
Trump says he has slashed regulations, even more than in the past. There will still be some regulation, but it will be '“sane regulation” he says.
And he claims no one has ever seen anything equivalent to his recent, tax-cutting so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill”.
(That is true, sort of. The bill has been described as “the most unpopular major legislation in decades”.)
After Trump finishes speaking, he and Starmer pose for a picture with signed copies of the “tech prosperity deal”.
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Starmer says the UK and the US are working on a comprehensive plan for peace in Gaza.
And they are working together to help Ukraine. Today they discussed building their defences further, supporting Ukraine, and increasing the pressure on Vladimir Putin.
He claims Trump has “led the way” in support for Ukraine.
Starmer says investments from tech deals should create 15,000 jobs in UK
Starmer says the two countries were first partners in defene and trade.
But now they are first partners in science too, he says.
He says the new investment has broken all records. It is expected to create 15,000 jobs in the UK.
Starmer says UK and US have renewed special relationship for new era
Keir Starmer starts by saying it is a pleasure to welcome Donald Trump to Chequers.
They have “renewed the special relationship for a new era”, he says.
No 10 publishes text of 'technology prosperity deal'
Or if you want something else to read while we wait, here is the full text of the “technology prosperity deal”.
While we wait, this is fun, from the Times’ George Grylls.
France was an ally to the US when it fought a war with Britain after independence.
If you are interested in UK politics, but don’t want half an hour of Donald Trump, you could instead read this letter from Zarah Sultana – which reveals her alliance with Jeremy Corbyn to set up a new leftwing party is in tatters, because she has fallen out with some of the Corbyn allies involved in it. She says they have been operating like a “sexist boys’ club”.
Starmer and Trump to hold press conference
According to the BBC, the Starmer/Trump press conference will last for about 40 minutes. There will be opening statements, and then questions, alternating between UK and US media.
Donald Trump had very little opportunity to speak to the media yesterday, and it is possible he may be keen to make up for that today. Some of his press events go on for ever, and his last event on UK soil with Starmer (at Turnberry) lasted for about an hour.
But Trump was the host on that occasion. Keir Starmer is the host today, so (in theory) he will have the chance to bring proceedings to an end.
Some of these press conferences with international leader only involve two questions from each side. Reporters have been told that this time there will be a few more questions than that. But no one is expecting a Trump never-ender, and if people start asking about Jeffrey Epstein both leaders may be keen to wrap it up asap.
Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA
The Princess of Wales and Melania Trump have hosted Scouts who received sandwiches made with honey from Kate’s beehive, PA Media reports. The princess and the US first lady joined 20 Squirrel Scouts taking part in nature activities on the Windsor Castle estate to earn their Go Wild badges.
The Starmer/Trump press conference was originally due to start at 2.30pm, but it is running later. It is now expected to start closer to 3pm.
At Chequers the two leaders, and their wives, are standing outside ready to watch a parachute display by the Red Devils.
Charles found Trump and his entourage 'very easy to deal with', royal source claims
King Charles found Donald Trump and his entourage “very easy to deal with” when they stayed at Windsor Castle, a “royal source” has told PA Media. The source said:
It was very pleasing to see the way the state visit has been warmly received both by the guests and the media on both sides of the Atlantic.
It’s a clear sign of soft power and diplomacy.
The visiting party was very easy to deal with and very appreciative of the hospitality.
All elements of the pomp and pageantry created an awesome spectacle.
You can tell from the expression of the principals how much they appreciated it.
In truth, it is hard to know what monarchs ever think about the political figures they meet because they are extremely discreet. Guessing what King Charles, or Queen Elizabeth, really thinks or thought about anything is a national sport. But Trump will no doubt be pleased with this briefing. He was furious last year when a book was published saying the late Queen found him “very rude”.
The business event at Chequers where Keir Starmer and Donald Trump signed the “tech prosperity deal” was attended by British and American business leaders including the chief executives of Nvidia, Microsoft, Rolls-Royce, Boeing, BAE Systems, GlaxoSmithKline, Alphabet, BlackRock and Citi Group, PA Media says. PA says:
The tent was decorated with union flags and Stars and Stripes bunting.
Also in attendance were Chancellor Rachel Reeves, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, business and trade secretary Peter Kyle, US secretary of state Marco Rubio, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent and US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick.
Donald Trump joked with his treasury secretary Scott Bessent and commerce secretary Howard Lutnick as he signed the US-UK tech deal alongside Keir Starmer, PA Media reports. He said
Should I sign this Howard? Scott? If the deal’s no good I’m blaming you.
at Chequers today.
Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP
Starmer and Trump sign 'tech prosperity deal'
At one point Trump seemed to be referencing a script, but now he is just rambling about what he says are his achievements.
He says the US is ahead of China on AI.
The US will be the UK’s best partner, he says.
He says the king of Saudi Arabia recently said that, under Trump, the US had become “the hottest country anywhere in the world”.
He says the US economy is thriving.
The border has been “totally closed”, he says.
And he claims inflation is “virtually non-existent”.
(Like much of what Trump says, that last claim is not true.)
Trump says he has slashed regulations, even more than in the past. There will still be some regulation, but it will be '“sane regulation” he says.
And he claims no one has ever seen anything equivalent to his recent, tax-cutting so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill”.
(That is true, sort of. The bill has been described as “the most unpopular major legislation in decades”.)
After Trump finishes speaking, he and Starmer pose for a picture with signed copies of the “tech prosperity deal”.
Trump again pays tribute to the business leaders in the audience.
He says he wanted his first trade deal to be with the UK because “the bond is so strong and the relationship so long”.
It will create opportunities for farmers in the US worth billions, he says.
He says the UK has a world-class aerospace supply sector. A lot of people don’t undersand how important it is, he says.
Both countries are building up industrial capacity, he says.
And the tech agreement is historic, he says.
