I’ve been in the same room as President Trump on a number of occasions but I first had a proper meeting with him at the Republican convention in Milwaukee before his reelection. Days earlier, a gunman had tried to take his life. Upon entering his hotel suite, the first thing I noticed about him is that he is physically very imposing - his Presidential medical report puts his height at six foot three, and despite the conspiracy theories of his detractors, there should be no doubt he is indeed at least that tall. In the 45 minutes or so I had in his company, everything he did - whether standing by the window (covered with bulletproof screens) or sitting in a standard issue hotel room armchair - was a curious combination of avuncular and gently imposing. In private, I found him extremely funny - and very warm to the Brits.
That’s why I am so frustrated about this State Visit: I know what could be achieved if the political cycles were in sync between London and DC. I am not for one moment attacking the ceremonial aspects - it is a genuinely unusual honour that the President will be the only occupant of the Oval Office to have been invited for a State Visit twice (usually Presidents receive one during their first term only). The diplomatic niceties are performative but without doubt have their place - they will be executed perfectly by our Armed Forces and civil service - and in that we can find pride. But what of the tangible outcomes that will enrich the British people?
