Arabic version: ترامب يقول إن زيارة الملك قد تصلح العلاقات البريطانية الأمريكية

US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the upcoming state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, stating it could help repair relations between the United States and the United Kingdom. In a phone interview with the BBC, Trump described the King as a “fantastic man” and emphasized that the visit would be a positive step for both nations. According to BBC News, the royal couple’s four-day visit will commence on Monday, featuring a meeting with Trump at the White House and an address to Congress.

The visit coincides with the 250th anniversary of US independence, highlighting a partnership rooted in “shared prosperity, security, and history,” as stated by the Foreign Office. Following their time in Washington, the King and Queen will travel to New York, Virginia, and Bermuda before returning to the UK.

During the interview, Trump also commented on UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, indicating that Starmer could improve his standing by altering his immigration policies. Trump criticized the current UK government’s approach to the war in Iran and called for increased oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.

In a separate topic, Trump addressed his ongoing defamation lawsuit against the BBC, stemming from a Panorama documentary that he claims misrepresented his comments prior to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. He warned the BBC to be cautious, suggesting that its reputation could be at stake. The BBC has rejected Trump’s claims and is defending itself against the lawsuit.

Additionally, Trump threatened to impose a new tariff on the UK if it does not eliminate its 2% digital services tax on major US tech companies, stating that such a move would be easily implemented if negotiations do not progress favorably.