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The London mayor called on American businesses to invest in the UK capital and pitched it as a “beacon of stability” compared to the “cuttered political water” created by President Donald Trump’s trade policy.
Trump and long-term spat worker Sadiq Khan made a comment to the Financial Times as he prepares to kick off what was called the “largest month of all time” for business in London.
Khan said London has “great opportunities” to stand up to “growth and promote investment” policies, along with support that it is “open to fundamental values like the rule of law and talent from around the world.”
“The political situation is causing uncertainty for American businesses,” Khan said. “We appeal to international investors who recognize that London is a beacon of stability compared to the US’s choppy political waters.”
In June, London will host four major events, including London, a US-designed technology, media and creative festival that will take off to Europe, alongside London Tech Week and London Climate Action Week.
Politicians and senior business executives will also be attending the Concordia Europe Summit, an invitation-only event where Khan will give keynote speeches.
The mayor’s office said the four events will bring “thousands of dealers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators and creatives from around the world” to the UK capital.
Trump, who called Khan a “stone cold loser” in 2019 and accused him of being “troubled” after the mayor criticized his first state visit to the UK, has had a volatile financial market over the past few months, often imposing sudden tariffs on many trading partners.
Business executives and universities have also been rattled by the Trump administration’s approach, including attack companies that support diversity initiatives, halting foreign student visa interviews and attacking companies that block government funds at top universities such as Harvard.
This month, British Prime Minister Kiel starmer welcomed the arrival of a trade deal with the US in an attempt to curb the worst tariffs Trump has threatened UK exporters. However, critics pointed out that US tariffs on the UK remained higher than when Trump took office in January.
Khan said the UK’s recent trade agreements with India, the US and the EU meant there was a “great opportunity” in London.
“This isn’t just the impact of tariffs,” Khan said. “From our universities, our culture and creative industries, our tech companies and financial services, we have a world-leading ecosystem that includes liberal values and celebrates London’s diversity as a strength, not as a threat.”
In US right-wing circles, especially online, Khan is often treated as a left-wing bogeyman due to his immigrant attitude and Islamic faith, along with his frequent declaration that “London is open.”
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When Trump was re-elected last year, Khan posted to X saying that London would always be “parent women, parental diversity, custody, human rights.”
He later suggested that the US President visit the Pride Festival and come to Friday prayers at the mosque on his next state visit to the UK.
Khan said Wednesday that the city’s economy received a boost of £677 million from trade and investment supported by the mayor’s growth agency, London and partners.
L&P has helped 110 foreign companies expand to London last year, the mayor’s office said.
