• Trump arrives for a historic second state visit, a first for any U.S. president.
• The visit includes royal pageantry at Windsor Castle and discussions on trade and technology.
• Protests are anticipated amid the state's festivities, although no public-facing events are scheduled.

U.S. President Donald Trump has officially arrived in the UK for his historic second state visit, described by him as a “great honour” to be hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle. The president landed at London Stansted Airport on Tuesday evening, where he received an official welcome from UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, among others. He is accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, as the couple looks forward to a two-day trip filled with royal pageantry, trade discussions, and international politics, according to Channel News Asia and BBC.

The visit kicks off with a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, featuring a carriage procession and military honor guards, designed to appeal to Trump's fondness for royal splendor. The British government aims to solidify transatlantic ties despite existing tensions over Ukraine and trade policies. Expectation mounts for announcements related to a major technology deal aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations' tech sectors, with significant U.S. investments planned in the UK, including £31 billion from major corporations such as Microsoft and Nvidia, according to Al Jazeera and Los Angeles Times.

During his state visit, Trump is anticipated to hold bilateral discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, focusing on trade agreements, particularly concerning U.S. tariffs on UK steel and aluminum exports. While the UK was the first nation to sign a trade agreement with the Trump administration, commitments to reduce tariffs remain unfulfilled. The British government hopes for a breakthrough during Trump's visit, with new announcements expected, as stated by various officials, including Business Secretary Peter Kyle, as reported by Newsweek and Al Jazeera.

Protests against Trump's visit are being organized, and demonstrators have already begun to gather near Windsor Castle, deploying images linking Trump to the late Jeffrey Epstein, which could overshadow the royal festivities. Despite such anticipated protests, Trump’s itinerary appears largely designed to minimize public interaction, avoiding the usual open engagements of state visits. Key events are confined to the royal estates and take place while Parliament is in recess, avoiding political debates on the president's presence, according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.

The combination of royal ceremonies and trade negotiations marks a pivotal moment in UK-US relations amid a backdrop of potential turmoil in domestic and international politics for both leaders. Starmer seeks to leverage Trump's visit to bolster his standing amid domestic critiques of his leadership as well as to underscore the ongoing importance of US-UK relations, which have been pivotal for historical diplomacy, according to Newsweek and Al Jazeera.