United States President Donald Trump said the fall in the “special relationship” between the U.S. and the United Kingdom is “sad” ahead of the King’s visit to Washington.
Last year, Britain was the first country to sign a trade pact deal with the U.S. in May, leading to a strong relationship between the White House and the UK, despite leaders being on different sides of the political spectrum.
However, Trump’s tariff policies, threats against Greenland and the war in Iran have tested the alliance.
Trump has criticised the UK for not supporting his military efforts in Iran and singled out the UK in particular, denigrating its military, domestic and foreign policies, and questioning its loyalty.
Ahead of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the U.S., Trump has threatened to rip up the UK’s trade deal, which secures it a baseline 10% tariff.
“We gave them a good trade deal. Better than I had to. Which can always be changed. But we gave them a trade deal that was very good because they’re having a lot of problems,” Trump told Sky News.
While Trump still describes King Charles III as a “wonderful person” and a “friend” who he “greatly respects”, the king has expressed concerns about his visit to the U.S.
According to former royal editor Duncan Larcombe, the king is “privately dreading” the trip.
“This is one of, if not the biggest, tests of King Charles since he became monarch, because a historically special relationship is in a perilous situation,” he told The Mirror.
“Donald Trump is openly criticising the Prime Minister, which is something that Charles hasn't had to cope with before."
As well as refusing to support military action in Iran, UK finance minister Rachel Reeves slammed Trump for the economic impact of the war.
