Talks held over making Trump first US president to be given Freedom of the City of London
City of London considered giving Trump award in bid to stop tariffs
- Discussions have taken place concerning the potential award of the Freedom of the City of London to Donald Trump during his state visit in September.
- The proposal was intended to create an opportunity for the City of London Corporation to advocate for free trade and against tariffs.
- However, the Freedom Applications Sub-Committee considered the award “too controversial” and officially stated that heads of state must serve a minimum of seven years in office to be eligible.
- The honour is rarely bestowed upon government leaders and has never been given to a sitting US president; Margaret Thatcher was the last head of government to receive it after 10 years in office.
- This potential rejection follows a prior decision not to invite Trump to address a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament during his state visit, scheduled for 17-19 September.