Donald Trump has revealed what he plans to discuss with King Charles during the upcoming US state visit. King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to arrive in the US later this month for a four-day state visit to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence from Britain.
As well as meeting with Trump, they will be guests of honour at a White House banquet and will also visit Virginia and New York. Charles has been invited to address a joint meeting of the US Congress.
Trump said 'everything', including the Iran war, which has strained transatlantic relations, will be on the table. The US president also said he would raise the thorny issue of NATO, which he has lambasted throughout the conflict.
The US president made his comments as fresh controversy flared over reports that the US could review its position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment for Sir Keir Starmer’s lack of support for the military action against Tehran.
Mr Trump said: 'I’m going to talk about everything.' Among other topics he was set to raise with the King was the UK’s digital services tax on American social media firms. Trump 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.
The tax targets companies whose worldwide revenues from digital activities exceed £500 million, with more than £25 million of the revenue from UK users. According to a 2025 Treasury review, the levy raised more than £800 million in 2024 to 2025, up from £678 million in 2023 to 2024.
Trump has previously said that the royal trip could 'absolutely' mend relations with the UK, hailing Charles as a 'great man'. This is in stark contrast to his view of Sir Keir, who he has derided as weak and indecisive.
Tensions show no sign of abating as US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed efforts being led by the UK and France to ensure the future security of the Strait of Hormuz as 'silly'. He argued Europe should start having 'less fancy conferences and get in a boat', as he rebuked Britain and other countries for their response to the crisis in the critical Gulf waterway.
In pointed comments, Mr Hegseth said America deserved allies 'who are loyal' and understood the partnership was 'not a one-way street'. The Strait - a major supply route for oil and gas supplies - had been open prior to the US and Israel launching strikes against Iran. In retaliation, Tehran effectively closed the shipping lane.
Although Trump extended an uneasy ceasefire, the strategic shipping lane remains a flashpoint. Both the US and Iran are imposing their own blockades, bringing vessel movements to a virtual standstill and further fuelling a global energy crisis that has seen prices rocket.
But hopes have been raised of talks to resolve the conflict, with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner being sent to Pakistan on Saturday 'to hear the Iranians out'. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is currently in Islamabad, although foreign ministry spokesman Esmael Baqaei said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that 'no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US'. He said officials from Pakistan would convey messages between the two sides.
But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'We’re hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal. We’ve certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days.' While vice president JD Vance was not going, Ms Leavitt said he and secretary of state Marco Rubio were on 'standby' to fly to Pakistan 'if necessary'.
