Rubio-Cooper Set Diplomatic Tone Before Trump Lands for 2nd UK State Visit; Steel Tariff Talks Stalled
US President Donald J. Trump is set to land at London Stansted Airport this evening, marking an unprecedented second UK state visit, an honor no other US president has received.
The two-day ceremonial visit, hosted by King Charles III, includes a royal banquet, carriage procession, and military parade at Windsor Castle.
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| Marco Rubio and Yvette Cooper all smiles and warm gestures. |
Cooper later posted, “The UK and US share a special relationship… Innovation, growth, and security for people on both sides of the Atlantic are at the heart of this historic State Visit.”
Joining President Trump on his second State Visit to the UK—the only President to ever receive this honor. I plan to meet with Foreign Minister Cooper to talk about our two nations’ ongoing cooperation on a number of issues. pic.twitter.com/sEhATgWqHd
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) September 16, 2025
Rubio confirmed plans to meet with Cooper to discuss strategic bilateral issues, reflecting the symbolic and substantive weight of the visit. He is among a high-level US delegation accompanying the president, which includes Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
The UK and US share a special relationship built on decades of close cooperation. Innovation, growth, and security for people on both sides of the Atlantic are at the heart of this historic State Visit. Welcome @SecRubio 🇺🇸🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/mfdjVT8zFl
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) September 16, 2025
While diplomacy is front and center, trade friction remains unresolved. A proposed deal to remove the 25% US tariffs on UK steel exports has been indefinitely delayed. Steel accounts for 6% of UK exports to the US by volume and 9% by value.
While UK officials point out that other countries face tariffs as high as 50%, industry advocates had hoped for relief during this visit.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One before takeoff, Trump called the Windsor reception “the ultimate honor,” and hinted that progress on trade talks may be possible. “They want to see if they can refine the trade deal a little bit,” he said, referring to ongoing discussions.
In June, the UK and US signed a partial trade agreement that reduced tariffs on cars and aerospace goods, but failed to reach terms on steel. Trump, now back in office and seeking to strengthen ties with key allies, has publicly expressed a desire to “help Britain,” though no concrete breakthrough has been announced.
The visit comes with all the trappings of a state-level reception—military fanfare, red carpet protocols, and the Red Arrows flypast. But behind the pageantry lies the strategic recalibration of a transatlantic relationship navigating new economic realities, post-Brexit complexities, and ongoing global disruptions.