Former President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the potential for the King of the UK’s upcoming visit to the US to mend strained relations between the two countries. Trump also offered advice to Keir Starmer, hinting at the possibility of his political recovery.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Peter Mandelson’s appointment but suggested that Starmer still had time to bounce back. When questioned in a BBC interview, Trump proposed that Starmer could improve his standing by prioritizing issues like opening up the North Sea and implementing stricter immigration policies.

Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the UK’s decision to halt drilling licenses in the North Sea, highlighting the economic benefits that could arise for American firms if drilling were to resume. Additionally, Trump’s opposition to wind farms, particularly in relation to his golf course in Scotland, has fueled his push for a policy shift in the UK.

The former President believes that the upcoming state visit by the King and Queen of the UK to the US could serve as a positive step towards repairing the strained US-UK relationship, particularly following tensions arising from past events.

However, concerns have been raised by political figures like Emily Thornberry and Sir Ed Davey about the potential pitfalls of the royal visit. Thornberry highlighted worries about Trump’s unpredictable behavior and the possibility of embarrassing situations during the visit, emphasizing the need for caution. Meanwhile, Davey called for prudence in managing the visit to prevent any untoward incidents that could reflect poorly on the monarchy.

The royal visit, which marks the commencement of the 250th anniversary of American independence, is expected to include meetings with President Trump and a speech to Congress by the King. Despite differing opinions on the visit, the event holds significant symbolic importance for both nations.