Trump and Starmer sign tech deal worth billions

AYLESBURY: President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer capped a day of royal ceremony by signing a new UK-US technology agreement, aimed at reinforcing the trans-Atlantic alliance amid geopolitical tensions.

The tech pact highlighted a wave of investment announcements during Trump’s visit, including Microsoft’s $30 billion commitment through 2028 and Nvidia’s £500 million investment in Nscale, a London-based data center startup. OpenAI and Nvidia are also collaborating with Nscale on the UK branch of Stargate, Trump’s AI infrastructure initiative. Nscale will also help build Britain’s largest supercomputer, powered by over 23,000 GPUs.

Starmer and Trump praised their countries’ “unbreakable bond” and emphasized mutual respect. “We’ve renewed the special relationship for a new era,” Starmer said. Trump echoed: “The bond between our countries is like no other.”

During their talks, Starmer gifted Trump homemade jam and shortbread, and Melania received a scarf designed with Ukrainian children’s art, a nod to her humanitarian outreach. She and Queen Camilla also visited Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and met children at the Royal Library.

Policy flashpoints

The visit wasn’t without political friction. Trump expressed disapproval of the UK’s expected recognition of Palestine, diverging from Starmer’s position. Both leaders acknowledged discussing the issue privately.

On immigration, Trump bluntly advised Starmer to "stop it," claiming migration “destroys countries from within.” Domestically, he’s faced backlash for deploying federal law enforcement in D.C.

Trump also revived his push to reestablish a U.S. presence at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, citing its proximity to China as strategic. He lamented President Putin’s refusal to pursue peace in Ukraine, despite hosting talks with both Putin and Zelenskyy. “Putin has really let me down,” Trump said.

Starmer concurred that Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine show “no interest in peace.”

TikTok, Kimmel, and Cancel Culture

Trump claimed a “fee plus” deal is nearing finalization for TikTok's U.S. operations, following national security concerns over Chinese ownership. He said conservative activist Charlie Kirk had encouraged him to use the app.

Kirk’s recent killing sparked controversy after Jimmy Kimmel suggested the suspect was a pro-Trump Republican. Trump denied this and called for Kimmel’s firing, saying the host had “very bad ratings.”

Obama, responding to the show’s suspension, accused the administration of weaponizing cancel culture. House Democrats demanded FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s resignation, calling the move “a war on the First Amendment.”

Judicial and immigration decisions

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting unaccompanied Guatemalan migrant children, following an attempt to return them over Labor Day weekend. The court ruled the government must follow proper legal protections.

In D.C., Council Chair Phil Mendelson criticized Congress for passing local laws without input from city officials, despite violent crime hitting a 30-year low. He urged Congress to fill judicial vacancies and support local prosecutors.

Vaccine panel and healthcare

A new federal vaccine advisory panel, under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., opened discussions on COVID-19, hepatitis B, and chickenpox shots. Critics voiced concerns about its perceived anti-vaccine leanings, but Chair Martin Kulldorff emphasized a goal of restoring public confidence.

Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office reported that making the expanded Affordable Care Act tax credit permanent would increase the deficit by $350 billion over a decade, but insure 3.8 million more people by 2035. Democrats aim to extend it before it expires in 2025.

Israel-Gaza war

A new AP-NORC poll shows growing concern among Americans about Israel's military actions in Gaza, 50% now believe it has “gone too far,” up from 40% in 2023. Yet, fewer Americans, especially Republicans, prioritize a ceasefire.

Trump concluded his UK state visit, the first ever second state visit for a US president, with a formal farewell from King Charles III at Windsor Castle. The two shared a private moment before Trump departed for further talks with Starmer at Chequers, focusing on trade and global security.