Trump shrugs off giving UK Parliament speech during state visit

Donald Trump has said there is no need to recall MPs to Parliament so he can make a speech during his upcoming UK state visit, saying “let them have a good time” instead.

In an exclusive phone call with the BBC, the US president suggested MPs should not be brought back especially, saying: “I don’t want that to… that would be making the speech pretty negatively.”

Trump is due to begin his three-day visit on 17 September, just a day after the House of Commons breaks up for the annual party conference season.

While the House of Lords will still be sitting, a joint address to both Houses – as per tradition – can only happen when both are in session.

Asked what he hopes to achieve during his visit, Trump said: “I think I want to have a good time and respect King Charles because he’s a great gentleman.”

He also described the UK as a “great place” and cited the hotels he owns there.

The final decision on addresses to Parliament lies with the Speakers of the Commons and Lords, though in practice they are arranged by the government.

Speeches during state visits are not automatic; only around one in four since 1952 have included a formal address to Parliament.

Trump’s comments follow criticism from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who said was “shoddy” that Trump will not have the chance to address Parliament.

He accused the Labour government of “cowardly” timing and claimed its “real priority” was to favour relations with Europe.

Downing Street denied scheduling the visit to avoid scrutiny, insisting that questions about timing should be directed to Buckingham Palace, which formally invites guests for state visits. Nonetheless, these visits are typically coordinated with the government.

Last week France’s President Emmanuel Macron gave an address to both Houses of Parliament during his three-day state visit to the UK.

Trump did not receive such an honour during his previous state visit in 2019. In fact, over 100 MPs signed a motion that year opposing a speech, citing concerns over “misogynism, racism and xenophobia.”

The motion was introduced by Stephen Doughty, who is now a Foreign Office minister, and signed by current Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Trump also praised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who he said he “really likes” even though “he’s a liberal”.

The interview is the latest sign Sir Keir’s approach to winning over the world’s most powerful man is paying off.

As well as personal praise for Sir Keir, Trump said the UK was one of the few countries to get a “good trade deal” – referring the deal cutting tariffs on some British goods entering the US signed in May.

And Trump also said the UK’s exit from the EU has “been on the sloppy side – but I think it’s getting straightened out.”

Trump will host Sir Keir at his Aberdeenshire golf resort during a private trip later this month ahead of his official state visit.

Speaking about the trip, Trump said windfarms in the area “are really detrimental to the beauty of Scotland and every other place they go up”.

According to energy trade body RenewablesUK, Aberdeenshire has 460 wind turbines capable of producing up to 700 MegaWatts.

Trump called the area around Aberdeen “the oil capital of Europe”.

“They should get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil,” he said.