US set to sign nuclear power deals with UK during Trump’s state visit

WASHINGTON — President Trump is set to sign a string of major nuclear energy agreements with the UK during his state visit this week — building new plants to power AI and free the NATO ally from reliance on Russian nuclear material.

The multi-billion dollar agreements are expected to be signed during Trump’s visit with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the heels of the president’s unprecedente second state visit with King Charles.

The deal includes policies that lower restrictions on building new power stations in both countries. Anglo-American corporate partnerships are at the center of the new scheme — with US-based X-energy working with British firm Centrica to construct 12 advanced modular reactors in the northeast town of Hartlepool.

American company Holtec will partner with UK-based EDF and Tritax to create small nuclear data centers in Nottinghamshire.

“Today’s commercial deals set up a framework to unleash commercial access in both the US and UK, enhancing global energy security, strengthening US energy dominance, and securing nuclear supply chains across the Atlantic,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said ahead of the deals.

“This is really focused on cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom, and that includes commitment and determination to achieve full independence from Russian nuclear fuel by 2028,” a senior US official told reporters Monday.

“We think that’s critically important, really, the only way forward of getting us out of some of the the energy traps that they find themselves in,” the official added, noting the US wants to encourage more allies to embrace nuclear energy.

The UK bans the importation of Russian natural gas, but still relies on Moscow for some of its nuclear fuel.

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Starmer said that he believed the projects are a part of a “golden age of nuclear” that will create thousands of jobs and drive down costs in the long run.

“This landmark UK-US nuclear partnership is not just about powering our homes, it’s about powering our economy, our communities, and our ambition,” the prime minister said in a statement previewing the deals.

US tech execs are also seeking to announce investments in the UK during Trump’s visit, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang.

Trump’s visit with the king is the first time a foreign leader has been invited for a second state visit, and the two-day trip is full of pomp and circumstance.

Trump was last granted the honor in 2019, and was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.

The president will arrive with first lady Melania Trump to Windsor Castle on Wednesday morning, where they will be greeted by King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Trump will then lay wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth at St. George’s Chapel Windsor before taking in a musical performance and Red Arrows acrobatic team flyover — and then heading over to the state banquet at Windsor Castle.

On Thursday, Trump and the first lady are heading to Chequers Estate, where they will meet with Starmer to discuss economic deals and how to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

For the White House, the trip symbolizes a continuation of the strong bilateral US-UK relationship. The trip also comes as the US is set to celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence from the island nation.

“This historic second state visit is set to highlight and renew the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. At the same time, the visit will recognize and celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States,” a senior US official said on a phone call Monday.

While the US and the UK have had a strong partnership in trade during Trump’s second term, signing the first trade agreement in the president’s tariff war, there have been several hiccups in relations that could mar the bonhomie.

The Trump administration, particularly Vice President JD Vance, has been strong in criticizing the UK for its social media censorship policies. Discussions over freedom of speech may come up and it’s something the administration is “very much focused on,” a senior US official said.

Starmer also fired Peter Mandelson, London’s ambassador to the US, on Thursday after emails were revealed showing he praised late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.