The UK government, led by Keir Starmer, has announced that three small modular reactors (SMRs) will be built in north Wales by British manufacturer Rolls-Royce SMR, with an investment of £2.5 billion. This decision has sparked criticism from the US, who hoped a US manufacturer would be chosen, particularly Westinghouse Electric Company, which recently signed a large deal. The government’s decision to utilize a British company to produce homegrown clean power has also been met with some criticism from labor unions, but the project is viewed as a positive move by the Nuclear Industry Association. This project at Wylfa, which previously housed a nuclear power plant, is a part of the government’s plan to embrace nuclear energy and provide the opportunity for a large new export industry in SMRs.
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Following a contentious Oval Office meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky, British Prime Minister Starmer revealed facing pressure from Washington to publicly criticize Zelensky. Instead, Starmer acted as a mediator, sending his national security advisor to Kyiv to help repair the relationship and facilitating a subsequent call between the two presidents. Despite these efforts, Ukrainian skepticism remains regarding U.S. peace initiatives, particularly given continued Russian attacks and the temporary halt of U.S. military intelligence aid. Starmer continues to advocate for strong support of Ukraine, emphasizing the need for security guarantees to ensure any peace agreement’s success.
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Following a report in The Sun suggesting King Charles III proposed U.S. associate membership in the Commonwealth, President Trump expressed his enthusiastic support on Truth Social. This potential move, viewed as symbolically strengthening the U.S.-U.K. relationship, could also offer economic advantages by potentially mitigating trade tariffs. While the Commonwealth primarily consists of former British colonies, the U.S.’s participation would be unprecedented given its history.
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King Charles has extended an unprecedented invitation to Donald Trump for a second state visit to the UK, a letter delivered by Keir Starmer. The invitation suggests preliminary meetings at either Dumfries House or Balmoral Castle, near Trump’s Scottish golf courses, to plan the visit. Charles highlighted the unique nature of a second state visit by a US president, emphasizing the opportunity to further strengthen the special relationship between the UK and the US. Trump, shown the letter in the Oval Office, publicly confirmed his intention to visit the UK in the near future.
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Nigel Farage, speaking to a right-wing audience including members of Trump’s inner circle, expressed confidence in winning the next UK general election, hoping it occurs while Trump remains president. This sentiment reflects a deep-seated animosity within the Trump administration towards Keir Starmer’s Labour government, stemming from perceived betrayals and disagreements over policy. The Trump team views Starmer’s leadership negatively, citing issues like the handling of race riots and alleged child grooming cover-ups. Consequently, Trump’s administration is actively exploring strategies to undermine Starmer’s government, potentially including influencing the next UK election.
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Senior British politicians from Labour, the Conservatives, and Reform UK have privately urged Donald Trump’s allies to reconsider his relationship with Elon Musk due to Musk’s inflammatory statements about UK politics, including endorsing a far-right figure and calling for the imprisonment of the Prime Minister. This unprecedented meddling in British affairs by a senior US figure, particularly given Musk’s anticipated key role in the Trump administration, is causing concern across the political spectrum and risks damaging the UK-US relationship. The concerns highlight a rare cross-party consensus in Britain regarding Musk’s actions and their potential impact on Trump’s image. Despite Trump’s spokesperson reaffirming their friendship, Musk’s falling out with Nigel Farage has fueled speculation that his alliance with Trump may also fracture.
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John Q. Hosedrinker