UK diplomacy is heading into a tricky period. French President, Emmanuel Macron, might arrive in the UK for a state visit before US President Donald Trump. Reports indicate that King Charles extended an invitation to Macron to visit Windsor in late May, months before Trump’s already confirmed visit in September. The move reflects a change in the manner Britain, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, deals with tensions rising between the United States and Europe.
Meanwhile, Trump’s blanket 10 percent tariffs have landed British exports a hefty blow, pushing the Starmer government to perform an economic-acrobatic high-wire balancing act with its foreign charm campaign. As powerful nations vie to win attention, the UK struggles to walk its diplomatic tightrope.
Windsor Might Host Macron Before Trump
Emmanuel Macron has been invited to a state visit by King Charles later this May. If true, this would be Macron’s first official visit to the UK since he became president eight years ago. While neither Downing Street nor the Élysée Palace has spoken, sources say the visit is already underway.
As The Sunday Times reports Emmanuel Macron will make a UK state visit months before Trump…
Eleonore Caroit, vice-president of France’s foreign affairs committee, says Anglo-French relations are at “the best point since Brexit”, with Ukraine having “accelerated” the process. pic.twitter.com/8Ky1YFpNNo
— Times Radio (@TimesRadio) April 20, 2025
Because of continued renovations to Buckingham Palace, Macron most probably will be received at Windsor Castle. That location is significant—it comes with tradition, formality, and status. Meanwhile, the timing might attract political analysis. Inviting a principal EU figure prior to receiving Trump might imply a return to European diplomacy.
Trump’s Holiday Homecoming Still On Schedule
Even with Macron’s potential premature arrival, Trump is still scheduled to visit in September. This will be his first foreign leader to receive two UK state visits. The second invitation, handed over personally by Starmer in February, was called “a second fest” and “truly historic” by Trump.
Windsor Castle, rather than Balmoral or Dumfries House as previously speculated, will also host Trump. While he appeared to be delighted, recent indications are that Macron’s previous visit will steal the show. The UK will have to tread carefully to make both visits politically neutral in appearance, if not in intent.
Starmer’s Diplomatic Tug-of-War
Keir Starmer has one of his most delicate balancing acts abroad. He wants to recreate post-Brexit relationships with Europe on the one hand. On the other, he wants to keep Trump sweet to safeguard British trade. He says the UK need not make a choice between the two. Yet every state visit sends its own political message—both in foreign and domestic terms.
If Macron strides through Windsor gates ahead of Macron, it would be interpreted as a diplomatic push toward Brussels. On the other hand, if Trump is greeted warmly, that could assure British industries and voters anxious about U.S. tariffs. Starmer has to take care with optics as much as with policy.
Trade Pressure Grows Under Trump’s Tariffs
The stakes are high. Trump’s 10 percent tariff on all imports to the US has already shaken UK manufacturers. From car components to electronics, British products are now less competitive in American markets. Consequently, Starmer’s economic team is racing to contain the fallout.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will visit Washington next week. She intends to sit down with US counterparts to talk about mitigating the tariff shock. Insiders say Reeves wants to get an overarching economic deal, one that shields UK companies from harm without being too beholden to the goodwill of Washington.
Macron’s possible visit adds complexity to the tale. His visit would remind Britain that Europe is still an important ally. However, Trump’s influence—particularly in a potential second term—is still long.
Starmer can call for balance, but the calendar speaks for itself. Whichever leader greets the King first will determine the tone. In politics, timing is everything.
All Eyes on Windsor
While Macron and Trump are planning for star turns, the UK navigates a tightrope of diplomacy. Starmer has to juggle international opinion while protecting the economy from new American tariffs.
Each handshake and photo opportunity will have greater significance. Windsor Castle is, for the moment, the setting on which Britain’s foreign policy will play out—one world leader at a time.
