Macron Visits the UK as Trump’s Tariff Threat Casts a Shadow Over State Ceremony

French President Emmanuel Macron kicked off a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, welcomed with full royal honors. Yet while London rolls out the red carpet, it’s the looming threat of renewed U.S. trade tariffs under former President Donald Trump that’s quietly dominating diplomatic conversations.

Upon arriving in England, Macron and his wife Brigitte were warmly received by the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, before heading to Windsor Castle for an official state banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Trump’s Trade Moves Raise EU Concerns as Talks Intensify

As Macron prepares for high-level meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and top business leaders — with key topics like immigration, trade, defense, and security on the agenda — Trump’s aggressive trade rhetoric is stirring concern across Europe.

Just a day before Macron’s arrival, Trump posted screenshots on social media of “letters” allegedly sent to 14 countries including Japan, South Korea, and South Africa, warning of steep tariff hikes beginning August 1. Though the EU did not receive a letter, the message is clear: Europe may be next in line.

There is growing speculation that a U.S.-EU trade agreement could be signed as soon as this week. However, the details — and how favorable they are to Brussels — remain unclear. Holger Schmieding, Chief Economist at Berenberg Bank, noted that the EU seems to have “grudgingly accepted” the current 10% base tariff and may only secure partial exemptions in sensitive sectors such as aviation.

Royal Pageantry Highlights UK-France Relations

The UK is showcasing the best of its royal traditions to mark Macron’s visit, which is aimed at reinforcing historic ties between the two nations. In his opening address, King Charles III emphasized the shared challenges ahead: “We face a multitude of complex threats from many directions. As friends and allies, we must face them together.”

Macron, who has built a warm rapport with the British royals, last received acclaim in the UK after King Charles delivered a bilingual speech to the French Senate during a 2023 visit to Paris.

The French President is scheduled to meet business leaders in London on Wednesday and hold a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Starmer on Thursday.

Post-Brexit Context and Transatlantic Strategy

This marks the first state visit by an EU leader to the UK since the country’s departure from the bloc in 2020. The UK government has called the occasion a “historic opportunity” to highlight the breadth and depth of Anglo-French cooperation in the post-Brexit era.

Meanwhile, Trump has openly claimed that the UK was the first to strike a trade deal with the U.S., suggesting it may be spared from future tariff hikes because, as he put it, “I like them.” Macron, on the other hand, has had a more turbulent relationship with the former president — including a recent public slight at the G-7 summit, where Trump labeled him “publicity-seeking.”