Trump’s state visit to UK ‘planned for September’ – Daily Business

US President Donald Trump is poised to be in the UK in September for his unprecedented second state visit that could include trips to Scotland.

There has been no official confirmation from Downing Street, but if confirmed, the visit will be seen as a positive move in building trade relations with Washington..

The president told reporters in the White House on Thursday evening: “I was invited by the King and the country – great country.

“They’re going to do a second, as you know, a second fest… that’s what it is: a fest, and it’s beautiful, and it’s the first time it’s ever happened to one person.

“And the reason is we have two separate terms, and it’s an honour… I’m a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William, we have really just a great respect for the family.

“And I think they’re setting a date for September.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hgave Mr Trump an invitation letter from King Charles in February during his visit to Washington.

During his first term in office in 2019, Mr Trump was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II. He attended the 75th anniversary of D-Day and Charles entertained the Republican leader at a dinner at Winfield House, the residence of the US ambassador.

Traditionally second-term US presidents are not offered a state visit and have instead been invited for tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle.

King Charles’ letter proposed a meeting to discuss details of the state visit at either Dumfries House or Balmoral, both in Scotland, a country to which Trump has connections.

Mr Trump’s mother was born and brought up on the Hebridean island of Lewis. His new golf course in Aberdeenshire, to be named after his mother, will open this year.

In his letter, the King wrote that he remembered the president’s previous visits “with great fondness” and also touched on “the breadth of challenges across the world” and “the values which matter so much to us all”.

Scotland’s Green Party does not want Mr Trump’s visit to Scotland to go ahead. Co-leader Lorna Slater said in a recent statement: “The proposed state visit is looking more ridiculous and misguided with every passing day.

“There is nothing to be gained by grovelling to Donald Trump and giving him the trappings and prestige that he desires.

“Time and again he has proven he cannot be trusted and has even inflicted tariffs on the UK. What kind of message does it send if we roll out the red carpet for him at the same time as he is doing that?”