Trump and King Charles set for tense talks as US-UK row spirals

King Charles is set to meet President Donald Trump against the backdrop of strained relationships between the UK and the US.

Trump, who has been a longtime admirer of the royal family, tells Reuters that he will discuss all matters that have created friction between the two allies.

"I'm going to talk about everything. I'm going ​to talk about it. He's a ‌friend of mine, and he's a great guy."

There were several disputes that arose between the UK and the US during Trump's second presidency.

The first being the war in Iran. 

The president, on several counts, made his frustration public about what he said was Britain's lack of support for the US in the conflict in the Middle East.

Then there is the issue of taxes. 

Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government has continued a digital services tax – earlier levelled by the Conservative gov'– on the American tech companies.

Trump, in response, threatened big tariffs on the UK if it did not roll back.

But what is, perhaps, the most sticking issue is Britain's ruling out support for the US military campaign in Iran.

Matters reached such a low point that the U.S. president has hinted at reviewing the position on the UK's claim to the Falkland Islands.

In the wake of the strained relationship, royal sources, according to The Independent, have admitted Charles's visit is “high risk, high stakes and high opportunity".

Andrew Lownie, the royal author, agreed, telling the BBC, "The visit comes in the biggest crisis in Anglo-American relations for a century.”

But a thaw is possible, says the expert, adding that Charles can influence Trump, given the latter's fondness for the royal family.

Even in this case, the president himself believes so.

"I know him well; I've known him for years. He's ​a brave man, and he's a ​great man. They would absolutely be a positive," he earlier told the BBC.

Charles's visit to the United States will mark the country's 250th anniversary of independence, as the King will be a guest at the White House banquet.