President Trump’s first foreign leader visit is UK’s Theresa May

World Today

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street to attend parliament in London, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Theresa May will be the first foreign leader to meet the new President Trump since his inauguration.

CGTN’s Richard Bestic reports.

Prime Minister May said she would tell President Trump she wanted a renewed special relationship between the U.S. and the U.K.—ties that bind in a post-Brexit world.

“I am pleased that I am able to meet President Trump so early in his administration. That is a sign of the strength of the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States of America. A special relationship on which he and I intend to build,” the prime minister said.

The phrase ‘special relationship’ dates back to Europe’s dark days of war, when the U.S. and the U.K. –two English language nations—fought alongside each other.

“Call me Mr. Brexit,” President Trump has said.

These days it’s the apparent populism of Brexit that props up the ‘special relationship.’

Nigel Farage, a lead Brexit campaigner, was a significant part of the Trump election campaign.

Despite the seeming friendship, there are still differences between the two leaders.

At the Davos meeting of the rich and powerful in Switzerland, Prime Minister May made the case for a globalized post-Brexit Britain. ‘We seek the freedom to strike new trade deals with old friends and new allies,” May said during the meetings.

Meanwhile, Trump’s policy appears to be more inward looking, with the oft-repeated phrase “America first” making it’s way into speeches and policy decisions.

Despite the differences, and some open pushback against Trump, May said she is unwavering.

‘I am not afraid to speak frankly to a president of the United. I am able to do that because we have that special relationship,” the UK prime minister said.

The reality for Prime Minister May is that she needs a successful meeting to help bolster Britain’s trade prospects ahead of difficult Brexit talks with the European Union. Being President Trump’s new best friend in Europe would be a positive outcome at the very least.