The Brits are SO smart.

[MsAmerica]

Playing Trump like a fiddle, knowing his weakness for flattery and star power. Starmer begins by presenting a letter of invitation from Charles III.

Donald Trump given letter from King Charles on Ukraine war with special 'unprecedented' invite
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/donald-trump-given-letter-from-king-charles-on-ukraine-war-with-special-unprecedented-invite/ar-AA1zVHbC

UK Prime Minister Starmer Presents Trump With An Invitation From King Charles For A State Visit: "This Is Really Special"
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/02/27/uk_prime_minister_starmer_presents_trump_with_an_invitation_from_king_charles_for_a_state_visit_this_is_really_special.html

We have to consider our own interests in all of this. We do have something Trump values. So we’ve offered it up. Pomp and flattery.

Of course we must use what we have. We have a unique asset. It’s going to be hard for David Lammy! The King will be fully briefed. Maybe Melania will get a tour of the jewellery vaults! We can hopefully find something to interest her.

We don’t though have any special relationship. That’s why we are working hard to keep our heads above water. I’m wondering if the US bases will stay here?

Musk clearly has some massive hold (financial, information?) over not just Trump but the republicans more generally. There's no way in a normal political dynamic the whole cabinet would sit quietly while Trump joked about "throwing them out" if they said they didn't like Musk. There's something quite massively wrong

@madamweb - that is very true.

Macron and Starmer are showing how to manage up

How will all that pomp and flattery work out for us when we ‘win’ a one sided trade deal and our farmers get shafted, again?

Trump is playing us like a fucking fiddle and we’re playing a dangerous game.

I think in his own strange way Trump has showed his loyalty to the RF by keeping Harry but dissing Meghan. He knew the RF would despair if he sent Harry back to the UK, but equally didn’t want to look like he approves of H&M and what they did.

We absolutely need to work on this relationship, it’s time for William to step up and practice his golf skills.

And as I said the SNP need to swallow their British-funded pride and offer a Scottish visit with bagpipes, castle tours and some kind of Highland activity.

Trump has indicated a mild fondness for the UK beyond that of any other country, so we would be fools to act like a petulant child.

I think what alot of people havent factored in is that for some Americans their link to their British/Scottish/Welsh and Irish ancestry is really really important to them, and forms a huge part of their identity, even if they have never visited.
Trumps mother has scottish roots. He has golf courses there, most likely to strengthen his idea of those roots, so acceptance from the motherland is a big deal.

I don’t think Trump will forget all the comments made by various labour politicians. I wonder who is playing who?

Yes, I noticed how much "Trump speak" the PM was using. He was pressing all of Trump's buttons in a very calculated way. Well played.

And while I understand the comments from people who thought it was embarrassing - it was humiliating for Starmer and the UK in many ways - I think it's actually far more embarrassing for the US to have a president that can be so transparently manipulated.

Trump may have his hand on the bow but Musk is the one moving his arm

His mother WAS Scottish, so he is half Scottish, whether the SNP like that or not.

Its called diplomacy.

Okay there are a lot things on the table in terms of geopolitical concerns but the idea that Trump or indeed Musk have views on British farming is really not tenable,

You might be interested to know that the US indicated that it would not press for things like chlorinated chicken or hormone beef to be included. The issue is likely to be food that is genetically modified.

I don’t think the “special relationship” particularly depends on the two leaders currently in office. Our armed forces work with US forces day in and day out as do the intelligence services. Then there’s the financial markets and other numerous industries and businesses that have a presence in the US and UK. The political leaders are transitory.

I am on one hand terrified by the people around Trump and on the other pretty sure he will fall out with most of them rapidly. Anthony Scaramucci describes very well what a balancing act Trump requires and virtually no one succeeds in staying on his right side. However others will emerge, possibly even worse if that’s possible, and Vance is just appalling in the wings.

That’s my take on it too.

From what has been released of the ‘agreement’ it is nothing more than an agreement to agree a future agreement. It has placated the US for now and can be null and void at any time if the US doesn’t provide security guarantees. Very clever of Ukraine to do it this way!

Yes but Russia will also take a cut. Why else has Russia agreed to a ceasefire? Trump is business first and foremost he doesn't do war. If a deal can be made he is in on it. Putin and Trump are the winners whilst we pay for security that is not needed, as Trump well knows, as he is giving Putin the resources to stop the war.

Europe does not have any power and Russia and the US are now once again world leaders and enjoying every second of it.

Hasn't the EU pretty much agreed Starmer is the collective spokesperson?

There was a meeting of EU leaders where less important members weren't included but Starmer was.

the Cringe is a small price to pay for having some kind of influence in a ‘peace process’ where so many lives/ security in Europe lies in the balance.

It was pretty funny.

Interesting to see the tone switch for some on we can't trust US to great we have deals.

You really believe this? We have no influence at all.

And this. US get the minerals, we possibly get security if US workers are there.

It was a show. They butter each other up but really it's US here getting what they're after.

The leaders of the major EU countries disagree with you.

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/how-brexit-made-starmer-the-eus-man-to-talk-defence-with-trump-9x6932hzh

Yes but Russia will also take a cut. Why else has Russia agreed to a ceasefire? Trump is business first and foremost he doesn't do war. If a deal can be made he is in on it. Putin and Trump are the winners whilst we pay for security that is not needed, as Trump well knows, as he is giving Putin the resources to stop the war.

Europe does not have any power and Russia and the US are now once again world leaders and enjoying every second of it.

Exactly. It's amazing how it's done. The person played feels great because there's flattery. Quite something to watch.

Using the Royal Family and all the pomp we can muster isn’t just about the U.K. The Royals can prevail on royals fro other European countries including the leaders of said countries to flatter Trump. It needn’t separate us from the rest of Europe.