Key points
- Bagram near China’s nuclear sites
- Trump, Starmer sign major tech deal
- Trump, Starmer split on Palestine recognition
ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump has said Washington is seeking to retake control of Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base, a former hub of American military operations, highlighting its strategic location near China during his state visit to the United Kingdom.
The announcement came as part of Trump’s official state visit to the United Kingdom—his second such trip—during which he also signed a major technology agreement with Starmer.
🇺🇸 🇦🇫 The US plans to return its troops to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, says Trump
“By the way, we’re trying to get back there (to Bagram Air Base, – ed.). This might be a bit of a bombshell… It’s an hour’s drive from where China produces its nuclear weapons.”
😂What? pic.twitter.com/6I45jRHykW
— Jack Straw (@JackStr42679640) September 18, 2025
“We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said of the air base. “It’s one of the biggest airbases in the world; we gave it to them for nothing. We’re trying to get it back. One of the reasons we want the base, as you know, is it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.” he said.
Trump says Afghanistan’s Bagram air base should be returned to US control https://t.co/XYQfn8m6tX
— FT World News (@ftworldnews) September 18, 2025
Bagram, originally built by the Soviets, served as a strategic hub for American operations in Afghanistan from the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks until the US withdrawal in 2021.
President Donald Trump said his administration is seeking to reclaim possession of Bagram, an air base in Afghanistan, that he has lambasted his predecessor for handing over https://t.co/x958rzoHtH
— Bloomberg (@business) September 18, 2025
The departure of US and NATO troops in July 2021 marked the end of two decades of Western military presence, after which Afghan forces briefly occupied the site before the Taliban regained control, according to Reuters.
Historic tech agreement
Earlier in the day, Trump and Starmer signed a wide-ranging technology partnership, which the British PM described as “the biggest investment package of its kind in British history by a country mile.” The deal covers areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and nuclear energy.
The US-UK Tech Prosperity Deal, signed today on Trump’s state visit, is the first dedicated tech agreement between US/UK. It focuses on AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, telecommunications, and nuclear energy to drive innovation. Key commitments include £31bn ($42bn) in… pic.twitter.com/UMuHQz9bxx
— Mining Investor and Geostrategic Affairs Observer (@DShox1) September 18, 2025
Trump hailed the agreement as “very big” and reaffirmed the strength of US-UK ties, saying, “It’s an unbreakable bond we have regardless of what we’re doing today.” The pact is backed by commitments worth £150 billion ($205 billion) from major American firms including Microsoft, Google, and Blackstone.
Differences over Palestinian statehood
At the same press conference, Trump acknowledged a rare policy disagreement with Starmer regarding Palestinian statehood. “I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score, one of our few disagreements, actually,” he said.
Starmer responded that both leaders shared the goal of peace in the region: “We absolutely agree on the need for peace and a road map, because the situation in Gaza is intolerable.”
When asked about delaying recognition of a Palestinian state until after Trump’s visit, Starmer insisted: “I made my position clear at the end of July as to the timing, which has got nothing to do with this state visit.”
