Trump’s royal spectacle in London masks divisions and global decline of U.S. influence

Department of Strategic Research, Studies and International Relations 18-09-2024

The United Kingdom has staged an elaborate royal welcome for U.S. President Donald Trump during his second state visit to the country, with the ceremonial pageantry unfolding behind closed doors and overshadowed by protests, political scandals, and a shifting global order where Washington’s clout is increasingly questioned.

King Charles III formally greeted Trump at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, setting the stage for discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the prime minister’s countryside retreat. The visit coincides with sensitive trade talks, as London hopes to secure concessions from Washington on tariffs and cooperation in nuclear and technology sectors. Yet, despite the spectacle, deep tensions and divisions linger, not only between London and Washington but also within the Western alliance itself.

Trump, who arrived in London by helicopter accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, expressed warmth toward the British monarchy. He praised King Charles, calling him “a friend,” and invoked his family ties to Scotland, where he owns golf courses. Yet beyond the pleasantries, the visit carries heavy political undertones.

A ceremony designed to appease

The royal reception was unprecedented in scale. The Trumps were greeted by Prince William and Princess Catherine before joining King Charles and Queen Camilla in a carriage procession inside Windsor’s private grounds. The couple laid a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb and observed a military band performance, culminating in a flypast featuring U.S. and British F-35 fighter jets alongside the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows.

The day ended with a white-tie banquet, where both Trump and King Charles were expected to deliver formal remarks. The UK government’s intent was clear: by surrounding Trump with glittering tradition, they hoped to soften his stance during trade negotiations and foreign policy discussions.

Yet, as analysts noted, the grandeur seemed more about image than substance. Critics in Britain argued Starmer extended the rare second state visit invitation prematurely, surrendering leverage before securing any real concessions.

Political scandals and public backlash

The timing of Trump’s visit has been far from ideal. Prime Minister Starmer faces domestic backlash over his decision to dismiss the UK’s ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, amid revelations of Mandelson’s ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender whose name continues to entangle political elites across the Atlantic. Trump himself has also been implicated in the controversy, though he dismisses it as a “hoax.”

Public opinion in Britain, meanwhile, has remained hostile toward Trump. Protests erupted outside Windsor Castle, with activists projecting images of Trump and Epstein onto the ancient walls. Demonstrations are planned across London, highlighting the wide gap between official protocol and public sentiment.

London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan, long a vocal critic of Trump, published an opinion piece denouncing the U.S. president as a chief agitator of divisive far-right politics. While acknowledging the strategic need to maintain relations with Washington, Khan argued that the so-called “special relationship” should not prevent Britain from openly criticising American policies.

Trade ambitions and foreign policy rifts

The UK government’s primary objective has been to secure better trade terms, particularly on tariffs affecting metals. Yet it appears unlikely that Starmer will extract major concessions during this visit. Trump, focused on his nationalist “America First” agenda, has little incentive to compromise, especially when facing pressure from his political base.

Beyond trade, the two leaders are expected to address foreign policy issues. Starmer has sought to push Washington toward firmer support for Ukraine, though Trump’s inconsistent approach has frustrated London. Despite hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month, Trump has refrained from imposing new sanctions on Moscow, reflecting Washington’s weakening ability to dictate terms to global powers like Russia.

Another contentious issue is Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, widely condemned across the Global South as genocidal. Britain has announced its intention to recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations, a move welcomed by much of the international community but sharply criticised by Washington. The U.S. position, increasingly isolated, highlights the widening gulf between American policies and the growing consensus among emerging powers such as China, Russia, India, and much of the Global South, who call for a just resolution to the Palestinian struggle.

A visit that reveals more than it hides

While Britain sought to cloak Trump’s visit in pomp and ceremony, the underlying reality is harder to disguise. The protests in the streets, the controversies surrounding Epstein, the tensions over Gaza, and the lack of concrete progress on trade all reflect the fragility of Western leadership.

For Washington, once able to dictate global terms unchallenged, the contradictions are becoming ever more apparent. Trump’s presence in London was less about shared values and more about maintaining appearances, even as the world moves steadily toward multipolarity, with China, Russia, and India playing increasingly decisive roles in shaping international order.

Far from strengthening the so-called “special relationship,” this visit underscores the growing perception that the United States, despite its military displays, is a power in decline, unable to command the loyalty it once took for granted, and facing resistance both abroad and within the very societies it claims as allies.