Dimensions of Trump’s Visit to Britain
(Translated)

Al-Rayah Newspaper - Issue 568 - 08/10/2025 CE
By: Dr. Muhammad Gilani

Trump made a historic two-day visit to Britain on September 16, 2025, following his first visit in June 2019 during his first term. The visit by the head of the leading state in the world to Britain, which had been the leading state before World War II, cannot be attributed to trade relations, tariff negotiations, and investments in the technology and artificial intelligence industries, as the media pages promote.

The first visit in 2019 came as Britain was on the verge of leaving the European Union. It did indeed leave the EU six months later. There is no doubt that Britain's exit from the EU had a significant impact on America's relationship with, and perception of, Europe. This was particularly true given that Europe was seeking to move away from American protection under NATO, and that NATO was no longer considered an essential and important alliance for European security. This was especially true given the long history of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the decline of Russia's international standing. Trump's visit was intended to encourage Britain to leave the EU, allowing Europe to humbly accept the continuation of its military alliance with America, despite its negative view of the alliance and its resentment of American hegemony. French President Emmanuel Macron stated in an interview with “The Economist” in November 2019 that NATO was experiencing brain death. Therefore, Trump’s first visit was concerned with the international scenario and relationship with Europe, keeping it within the American sphere of influence in the international order, while simultaneously ensuring Britain’s stance and encouraging it to leave the EU.

As for this visit of 2025, it had two aspects:

The first aspect is related to the international situation in which the war between Russia and Ukraine is raging. Britain is considered one of the countries most supportive of using NATO power to deter Russia, while America strongly opposes this. Britain is also considered one of the countries most supportive of Ukraine’s entry into NATO, in order to provide it with strong protection using NATO forces. America does not want this either. Instead, America is working to ensure that the war between the two countries continues for as long as possible, so that Europe, along with Britain, remains alert to the consequences of the war, especially the draining of its financial and military resources. Trump’s visit came whilst Britain has the most effective role in steering the relationship related to the war. During the press conference between Trump and Kier Starmer, the British Prime Minister, Starmer called for severe sanctions and a tougher stance to pressure Russia. Trump rejected this approach, simply saying that Putin had let him down on some occasions, without mention of the need for sanctions or other forms of pressure. In doing so, Trump sent a message to Britain and Europe in general that the war is over and that they must bear the material and, subsequently, political consequences of NATO and its hegemony.

The second aspect of the visit was that it came at a time when most European countries, including Britain, had agreed to the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside the Jewish entity, on lands occupied in 1967, contrary to what the Jewish entity wanted with American support. Trump came to announce to Europe that he is proceeding with his vision based on dominating the Middle East, and achieving a policy of geopolitical stability there, which requires expanding the borders of the Jewish entity, and affirming the identity of the Jewish state. He also wanted to make it clear that the decisions of Europe, along with most countries in the world, to recognize a Palestinian state will not change anything in America’s plan for the Middle East. America is well aware that Britain continues to play an important role in the Middle East, despite its withdrawal from major power centers such as Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. Britain’s influence, through its close relations with the Gulf states and Jordan, and its remaining historical influence in the occupying Jewish entity, may enable it to destabilize the stability that America seeks in a certain way. Hence, Trump’s visit was an attempt to rein in Britain, either as a threat to its interests, or to reassure it that some of its interests would be preserved, or, as he did, by offering investments exceeding $275 billion in technology industries, such as artificial intelligence and nuclear energy production.

During the press conference between Trump and Starmer, it was noted that Starmer avoided clashing with Trump or raising any issues that might prompt him to reveal what they had discussed privately. When asked about the British ambassador’s relationship with Epstein, the godfather of illicit sexual relations, he tactfully deflected the question to avoid embarrassing Trump with similar questions. The warm welcome and farewell to Trump also helped avoid clashes, some of which explicitly prompted Trump to say things like, “I have a disagreement” or “one of our few disagreements.”

The two sides may disagree on many issues and details related to hegemony, and the expulsion of Britain from its spheres of influence in the Middle East over the course of 70 years. However, they never disagree on the most important issue in the Middle East: the emergence of Islam’s dominance and the restoration of the Khilafah (Caliphate) on the regional and then international scene. Britain has been working to destroy the Khilafah since the beginning of the Twentieth Century, establishing entities under the Sykes-Picot Agreement to ensure its non-return. Now, America is redrawing the map in its own way, using its strategic thinkers and strategic institutes. If there is agreement or cooperation between a declining Britain and an authoritarian America, it is only in this area, which still places them in the same camp. How this reminds us of the Crusades, at a time when European regimes and kingdoms were at odds and fighting over interests, disagreements and quarrels would end promptly when it came to the war on the Islamic State. Not far from this were the very hostile relations between Britain and France, and the intense conflict between them. However, when it came to the Middle East after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the two representatives, Sykes and Picot, placed the map on the table and divided up the areas of influence.

In light of these situations that are taking place before our eyes, we still see rulers of Muslims competing to please these arrogant people, seeking honor from them!

Despite all the arrogance of the masters of the global order and the weakness of our rulers, we have from Allah (swt) abundant evidence that the true promise of nasr (victory) is approaching. After more than 70 years since 1950, America has been spending money and igniting wars to dominate the Middle East at Britain’s expense. We see that it is still taking these matters into account, and that it has not yet completed its control and hegemony. What America has achieved thus far lies on a burning and shifting plate. Moreover, the intensity of the rivalry between the major powers and the outbreak of fires in Europe, Palestine, Libya and Sudan, all herald the world slipping beyond unilateral control and the unraveling of the global order. All of this is compounded by the reality of the world’s economic and financial systems, which threaten to collapse at any moment, despite every attempt to stabilize them by all means. All of this is evident to the eye, and it will happen, inshaaAllah. On that day, the believers will rejoice in the nasr (victory) of Allah (swt).