LONDON — U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in the United Kingdom on Tuesday for a state visit aimed at reinforcing the trans-Atlantic relationship. The British government hopes to showcase a multibillion-dollar technology deal during this visit, despite ongoing differences over issues like Ukraine and the Middle East.

Trump's two-day trip features a blend of modern diplomacy and traditional royal ceremonies. The visit includes horse-drawn carriages, military honor guards, and a lavish banquet at a historic castle. King Charles III will host Trump at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, followed by discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the Prime Minister's countryside residence.

Starmer's office stated that the visit aims to highlight the strength of the U.K.-U.S. relationship, which is built on 250 years of shared history and values, including a commitment to the rule of law and open markets. However, there was no mention of Trump's controversial tariffs that have affected markets.

A senior White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that the trip is expected to strengthen ties between the two nations and celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. The specifics of how the U.K. plans to commemorate this milestone remain unclear.

Trump expressed enthusiasm about the visit, calling it “incredible” and noting that Windsor Castle is “supposed to be amazing.” He is the first U.S. president to receive a second state visit in the U.K., a gesture that reflects both the historical significance and the pomp associated with such occasions. Trump has previously praised the late Queen Elizabeth II and has a personal connection to the monarchy through his Scottish heritage.

As he departed the White House, Trump remarked on the grandeur of Windsor Castle, stating, “I don’t want to say one is better than the other, but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate.” He also referred to King Charles as “an elegant gentleman” who represents the country well.

The visit comes amid political challenges for Starmer, who has faced criticism within his Labour Party for his efforts to engage with Trump. Notably, Trump will not address Parliament during this visit, a departure from the tradition followed by other leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron.

Starmer's government has been shaken by recent political turmoil, including the dismissal of the U.K. ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, due to his past connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson had previously fostered good relations with the Trump administration and was instrumental in securing a U.K.-U.S. trade agreement earlier this year.

Despite these challenges, Starmer has found an unexpected ally in Trump, who has described him as a friend, albeit “slightly more liberal” than himself. The U.K. is seeking favorable trade terms with the U.S., which is its largest single economic partner, accounting for 18% of total British trade. A recent trade agreement has reduced U.S. tariffs on key British industries, but negotiations continue on other sectors.

During his visit, Trump indicated that U.K. officials are eager to continue trade discussions. “They’d like to see if they can get a little bit better deal, so we’ll talk to them,” he said. Business leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, are expected to join the U.S. delegation.

Trump and Starmer are anticipated to sign a technology partnership that includes significant investments in nuclear power, life sciences, and artificial intelligence data centers. They are also expected to discuss nuclear energy deals and defense technology cooperation.

The situation in Ukraine is also on the agenda. Starmer has been working to maintain U.S. support for Ukraine, although results have been limited. Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin but has not followed through on threats to impose new sanctions on Russia. Recent incidents, including a Russian drone incursion into Poland, have drawn condemnation from NATO allies, but Trump downplayed the severity of the situation.

Starmer's stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict differs from Trump's, as he plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations later this month. Experts note that while Starmer has kept the U.S. aligned on Ukraine, his influence on broader issues remains limited.