U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in the United Kingdom on Friday for a visit set against a backdrop of heightened transatlantic tensions and sharp past exchanges between Washington and London. His first engagement is a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, with discussions likely to cover the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as trade issues.
Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha and their three children, is beginning the trip by staying with Lammy at Chevening, the foreign minister’s official country residence, before moving on to the Cotswolds. The working visit will include official meetings, cultural stops, and a visit with U.S. troops stationed in the UK, according to officials.
The visit comes amid close scrutiny of Vance’s foreign policy stance, shaped by his “America First” approach. He has previously accused the UK’s Labour-led government of eroding free speech and even described Britain as “maybe” the first “truly Islamist” nuclear power following Labour’s 2024 election win. Lammy, who once branded President Donald Trump a “neo-Nazi,” has since dismissed such remarks as “old news.”
Despite their political clashes, Vance and Lammy have cultivated a surprisingly warm personal rapport, rooted in shared Christian faith and similar upbringings. They attended Mass together in Washington earlier this year and met again in May at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass in Rome.
British officials are expected to use the talks to present their perspective on Ukraine and Gaza, though observers say Lammy is unlikely to press Vance aggressively. “It’s a chance to get the UK perspective in there, but they’re not looking for conflict,” said Bronwen Maddox of Chatham House, noting that London is satisfied with its recent trade deal with Washington.
Vance’s trip follows President Trump’s recent visit to Scotland, where the U.S. leader met Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to seal a framework trade pact that includes a 15% tariff on most EU goods.
Trump is due back in the UK for a full state visit in September, a rare honor for an elected leader.
Protest threats also loom over Vance’s stay, with trade unions, pro-Palestinian groups, and climate activists preparing demonstrations. Similar protests disrupted his Vermont vacation earlier this year over U.S. immigration policy and the handling of the Ukraine war.
Written By Rodney Mbua
