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[FONT="]Mrs May and Mr Trump during their first joint press conference together[/FONT]
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- Peter Dominiczak, [FONT="]political editor, [/FONT][FONT="]washington [/FONT]
- Steven Swinford, [FONT="]deputy political editor [/FONT]
- David Lawler
[FONT="]27 JANUARY 2017 • 10:20PM[FONT="]
[FONT="]n the days following his election victory in November, Donald Trump could barely be reached on the telephone by Theresa May.[/FONT]
[FONT="]But on Friday Mr Trump marked the start of “this most special relationship” by taking her hand.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The brief moment of familiarity came little more than an hour after the pair met for the first time as the president guided Mrs May down a slope at the White House.[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]But on Friday Mr Trump marked the start of “this most special relationship” by taking her hand.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The brief moment of familiarity came little more than an hour after the pair met for the first time as the president guided Mrs May down a slope at the White House.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Mrs May and Mr Trump during their first joint press conference together[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Mrs May gestures during the news conference[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: AP PHOTO/EVAN VUCCI[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Mr Trump stands with the Prime Minister after arriving at the White House in Washington[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: ANDREW HARRER/BLOOMBERG[/FONT]
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[FONT="]But on Friday it was being described as a symbol of what Mr Trump went on to depict as the renewed bond between Britain and the US.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Before they met, some had predicted that as Mrs May became the first foreign leader to meet the president since his inauguration eight days ago, the pair might struggle to hit it off.[/FONT]
[FONT="]But in several appearances together, Mr Trump and Mrs May – who had earlier observed that “opposites attract” – displayed considerable warmth towards each other.[/FONT]
[FONT="]In a joint press conference, Mr Trump predicted he and Mrs May would have a “fantastic” relationship and remarked on how quickly they had started to form a bond.[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]Before they met, some had predicted that as Mrs May became the first foreign leader to meet the president since his inauguration eight days ago, the pair might struggle to hit it off.[/FONT]
[FONT="]But in several appearances together, Mr Trump and Mrs May – who had earlier observed that “opposites attract” – displayed considerable warmth towards each other.[/FONT]
[FONT="]In a joint press conference, Mr Trump predicted he and Mrs May would have a “fantastic” relationship and remarked on how quickly they had started to form a bond.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Mrs May gestures during the news conference[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: AP PHOTO/EVAN VUCCI[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Describing Brexit as a “blessing to the world”, the president said the vote to leave the EU was a “tremendous asset, not a liability”.[/FONT]
[FONT="]He vowed to do a free trade deal with Britain, while attacking the European Union – which he described as “the consortium” – for making it hard for companies to do business.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Mr Trump said that the people of Britain voted for Brexit because “people want to know who is coming into their country and have control of trade”.[/FONT]
[FONT="]In return, the Prime Minister hailed Mr Trump’s “stunning” election victory and confirmed that the president had given his “100 per cent” backing to Nato amid fears he would abandon support for the military organisation.[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]He vowed to do a free trade deal with Britain, while attacking the European Union – which he described as “the consortium” – for making it hard for companies to do business.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Mr Trump said that the people of Britain voted for Brexit because “people want to know who is coming into their country and have control of trade”.[/FONT]
[FONT="]In return, the Prime Minister hailed Mr Trump’s “stunning” election victory and confirmed that the president had given his “100 per cent” backing to Nato amid fears he would abandon support for the military organisation.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Mr Trump stands with the Prime Minister after arriving at the White House in Washington[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: ANDREW HARRER/BLOOMBERG[/FONT]
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[FONT="]The political leaders shake hands on day two of the British Prime Minister's visit to the country[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: ANDREW PARSONS / I-IMAGES[/FONT]
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[FONT="]They also posed for photographs in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Friday[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: AP PHOTO/PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS[/FONT]
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[FONT="]She confirmed that Mr Trump and his wife, Melania, would later this year come on a full state visit to the UK and meet the Queen.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Ahead of their talks, Mrs May had said “thank you, Mr President” as he showed her a bust of Winston Churchill that he has returned to the Oval Office after it was removed by Barack Obama.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Mr Trump, who said he “can often tell early if I’m going to get along well with someone” and called the Prime Minister a “people person”, held and rubbed Mrs May’s hand as they walked along the White House colonnade.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Their meeting was in stark contrast to the last time a British prime minister met an American president, after Barack Obama used a visit to London and a meeting with David Cameron to warn that the country would be at the “back of the queue” in any post-Brexit trade talks.[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]Ahead of their talks, Mrs May had said “thank you, Mr President” as he showed her a bust of Winston Churchill that he has returned to the Oval Office after it was removed by Barack Obama.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Mr Trump, who said he “can often tell early if I’m going to get along well with someone” and called the Prime Minister a “people person”, held and rubbed Mrs May’s hand as they walked along the White House colonnade.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Their meeting was in stark contrast to the last time a British prime minister met an American president, after Barack Obama used a visit to London and a meeting with David Cameron to warn that the country would be at the “back of the queue” in any post-Brexit trade talks.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]The political leaders shake hands on day two of the British Prime Minister's visit to the country[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: ANDREW PARSONS / I-IMAGES[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Speaking in the East Room of the White House, Mr Trump said: “Today the United States renews our deep bond with Britain – military, financial, culture and political. We pledge our lasting support to this most special relationship.” He added: “That is why the US respects the sovereignty of the British people and their right of self-determination.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“A free and independent Britain is a blessing to the world and our relationship has never been stronger.” [/FONT]
[FONT="]The Prime Minister said: “I’m so pleased that I’ve been able to be here today and thank you for inviting me so soon after your inauguration.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“I’m delighted to be able to congratulate you on what was a stunning election victory. As you say, the invitation is an indication of the strength and importance of the special relationship that exists between our two countries – a relationship based on the bonds of history, of family, kinship and common interests.” [/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]“A free and independent Britain is a blessing to the world and our relationship has never been stronger.” [/FONT]
[FONT="]The Prime Minister said: “I’m so pleased that I’ve been able to be here today and thank you for inviting me so soon after your inauguration.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“I’m delighted to be able to congratulate you on what was a stunning election victory. As you say, the invitation is an indication of the strength and importance of the special relationship that exists between our two countries – a relationship based on the bonds of history, of family, kinship and common interests.” [/FONT]
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[FONT="]They also posed for photographs in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Friday[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: AP PHOTO/PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS[/FONT]
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[FONT="]The pair walk along the colonnades of the White House[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: AP PHOTO/PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS[/FONT]
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[FONT="]The Prime Minister signs the visitors' book at the White House[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: @PRESSSEC[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Mrs May highlighted the already strong trade links between the US and the UK.[/FONT]
[FONT="]She added: “The president and I are ambitious to build on this relationship in order to grow our respective economies, provide the high-skilled, high-paid jobs for working people across America and across the UK.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“We are discussing how we can establish a trade-negotiation agreement, take forward immediate high-level talks, lay the groundwork for a UK/US trade agreement and identify the practical steps we can take now in order to enable companies in both countries to trade and do business with one another more easily.”[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]She added: “The president and I are ambitious to build on this relationship in order to grow our respective economies, provide the high-skilled, high-paid jobs for working people across America and across the UK.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“We are discussing how we can establish a trade-negotiation agreement, take forward immediate high-level talks, lay the groundwork for a UK/US trade agreement and identify the practical steps we can take now in order to enable companies in both countries to trade and do business with one another more easily.”[/FONT]
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[FONT="]The pair walk along the colonnades of the White House[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: AP PHOTO/PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Mrs May had promised to use her talks with Mr Trump to discuss the importance of Nato, which he had previously described as “obsolete”.[/FONT]
[FONT="]As Mr Trump nodded alongside her in the press conference, Mrs May said: “Today we have reaffirmed our unshakeable commitment to this alliance. Mr President, I think you confirmed that you are 100 per cent behind Nato.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Prime Minister said she will pressure EU leaders to meet their Nato commitment of spending 2 per cent of national income on defence, something that Mr Trump has demanded.[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]As Mr Trump nodded alongside her in the press conference, Mrs May said: “Today we have reaffirmed our unshakeable commitment to this alliance. Mr President, I think you confirmed that you are 100 per cent behind Nato.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Prime Minister said she will pressure EU leaders to meet their Nato commitment of spending 2 per cent of national income on defence, something that Mr Trump has demanded.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]The Prime Minister signs the visitors' book at the White House[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: @PRESSSEC[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Mrs May also appeared to have won a concession from Mr Trump on the issue of torture, after he said earlier this week that he supports waterboarding because “we have to fight fire with fire”.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Mr Trump said he would allow defence secretary General James “Mad Dog” Mattis to “override” his view on torture even if he does not agree with him. Gen Mattis has stated publicly that he does not believe in torture.[/FONT]
[FONT="]On Vladimir Putin, Mr Trump said: “I don’t know the gentleman. I hope we have a fantastic relationship. That’s possible and it’s also possible that we won’t.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“I have had many times where I thought I would get along with people and I don’t like them at all. And I have had some where I didn’t think I was going to have much of a relationship and it turned out to be a great relationship.”[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]Mr Trump said he would allow defence secretary General James “Mad Dog” Mattis to “override” his view on torture even if he does not agree with him. Gen Mattis has stated publicly that he does not believe in torture.[/FONT]
[FONT="]On Vladimir Putin, Mr Trump said: “I don’t know the gentleman. I hope we have a fantastic relationship. That’s possible and it’s also possible that we won’t.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“I have had many times where I thought I would get along with people and I don’t like them at all. And I have had some where I didn’t think I was going to have much of a relationship and it turned out to be a great relationship.”[/FONT]
[FONT="][h=1]Gifts | Donald Trump and Theresa May[/h][/FONT]
[FONT="][FONT="]Donald Trump presented Theresa May with an 1865 Edition of Harper’s Weekly magazine depicting Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration.[/FONT]
[FONT="]He also gave her a hand-printed excerpt from President Lincoln’s second inaugural address.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The excerpt reads: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]Melania Trump gave Mrs May a gift for her husband, Philip, of a pair of sterling silver cufflinks designed by New York jeweller David Yurman.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Mr May did not travel to America with Mrs May but will meet Mr Trump and his wife when they visit the UK on a full state visit later this year.[/FONT]
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[FONT="][FONT="]Donald Trump presented Theresa May with an 1865 Edition of Harper’s Weekly magazine depicting Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration.[/FONT]
[FONT="]He also gave her a hand-printed excerpt from President Lincoln’s second inaugural address.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The excerpt reads: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]Melania Trump gave Mrs May a gift for her husband, Philip, of a pair of sterling silver cufflinks designed by New York jeweller David Yurman.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Mr May did not travel to America with Mrs May but will meet Mr Trump and his wife when they visit the UK on a full state visit later this year.[/FONT]
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Here, The Telegraph rounds up exactly what was discussed in the leaders' first joint press conference together:
The Special Relationship
The President said the US and UK had “one of the great bonds”, highlighting his mother’s Scottish roots as one reason that relationship was so important to him.
“A free and independent Britain is a blessing to the world, and our relationship has never been stronger,” he said, adding that he looked forward to working closely with Mrs May to strengthen ties.
“We pledge our lasting support to this most special relationship,” Mr Trump said, with a nod in the Prime Minister's direction.
Mrs May congratulated Mr Trump in his "stunning" election victory and said that the Special Relationship is founded on the "bonds of history, family, kinship and common interest".
The Prime Minister also revealed that Mr Trump has accepted an invitation from the Queen to come to the UK later this year. The visit is expected to take place in the Summer.
The Special Relationship
The President said the US and UK had “one of the great bonds”, highlighting his mother’s Scottish roots as one reason that relationship was so important to him.
“A free and independent Britain is a blessing to the world, and our relationship has never been stronger,” he said, adding that he looked forward to working closely with Mrs May to strengthen ties.
“We pledge our lasting support to this most special relationship,” Mr Trump said, with a nod in the Prime Minister's direction.
Mrs May congratulated Mr Trump in his "stunning" election victory and said that the Special Relationship is founded on the "bonds of history, family, kinship and common interest".
The Prime Minister also revealed that Mr Trump has accepted an invitation from the Queen to come to the UK later this year. The visit is expected to take place in the Summer.
Mrs May and Mr Trump walk alongside each other and hold hands at the White House as she becomes the first world leader to meet the new President CREDIT: CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/GETTY IMAGES
Brexit and a new trade deal
The President said that Brexit is a "wonderful thing" for the UK and will enable it to forge its own independent identity after leaving the EU.
He highlighted the fact that he forecast Britain would vote to leave the EU on the day before the referendum vote during a visit to Scotland.
"I happened to be in Scotland when Brexit happened," he said. "I said Brexit is going to happen and I was scorned in the press for making that prediction. Lo and behold the following day it happened.
The President said that Brexit is a "wonderful thing" for the UK and will enable it to forge its own independent identity after leaving the EU.
He highlighted the fact that he forecast Britain would vote to leave the EU on the day before the referendum vote during a visit to Scotland.
"I happened to be in Scotland when Brexit happened," he said. "I said Brexit is going to happen and I was scorned in the press for making that prediction. Lo and behold the following day it happened.
Brexit is going to be a wonderful thing for your countryDonald Trump
"Brexit is going to be a wonderful thing for your country. You are going to have your own identity and the people you want in your country and you are going to be able to make free trade deals."
Mr Trump was damning about the European Union, referring to it as the "consortium" and the "group" and highlighting his own bad business experiences with the body.
The Prime Minister confirmed that she and the President have been holding discussions on a post-Brexit trade deal.
She said: "The President and I are ambitious to build on this relationship in order to grow our respective economies, provide the high-skilled, high-paid jobs for working people across America and across the UK.
"We are discussing how we can establish a trade negotiation agreement, take forward immediate high-level talks and identify the practical steps we can take now in order to enable companies in both countries to trade and do business with one another more easily."
Defence and security
Mrs May said that Britain and the US are "united in recognition of Nato as the bulwark of collective defence" after Mr Trump's repeated criticisms of the organisation.
She said that Britain shares the concerns of the US that other nations are failing to invest enough and "share the burden", adding: "It is only by investing properly in defence we can ensure we are properly equipped to face the challenges."
Britain and the US will "work closely together to defeat Daesh", she said as she pledged to deepen "intelligence and security co-operation" and hinted at a new drive to defeat Daesh on the internet.
She said: "We are discussing how we can work even more closely together in order to take on and defeat Daesh and the ideology of Islamist extremism wherever it is found."
Russia
The press conference highlighted the stark differences between Britain and the US on Russia.
Mr Trump refused to be drawn on suggestions that his administration will lift sanctions on Russia, saying that it is "very early to be talking about that".
Mrs May said she supported continued sanctions on Russia, and had advocated for that policy within the European Union.
Mr Trump went on to say that while he hopes he has a "fantastic relationship" with Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, he may come to find that he doesn't like him. "I don't know the gentleman, I hope we have a fantastic relationship," he said. "That's possible and it's also possible that we won't. We will see what happens."He added that it would not be possible to see how the relationship worked out until later.
"I have had many times where I thought I would get along with people and I don't like them at all. And I have had some where I didn't think I was going to have much of a relationship and it turned out to be a great relationship.
"So, Theresa, we never know about those things do we? But I will tell you one thing: I will be representing the American people very strongly."
Torture
Ahead of the trip Mrs May made clear that the UK will never sanction torture after Mr Trump wants a return of water-boarding and other "enhanced interrogation techniques".
However Mr Trump sought to defuse a potential row by highlighting the fact that his new Secretary of Defence, James Mattis, is opposed to torture.
He said: "We have a great general who has just been appointed secretary of defence.
"He has stated publicly he does not believe in water-boarding, torture, enhanced interrogation.
"I don't necessarily agree but I tell you he will override because am giving him that power."
Mr Trump was damning about the European Union, referring to it as the "consortium" and the "group" and highlighting his own bad business experiences with the body.
The Prime Minister confirmed that she and the President have been holding discussions on a post-Brexit trade deal.
She said: "The President and I are ambitious to build on this relationship in order to grow our respective economies, provide the high-skilled, high-paid jobs for working people across America and across the UK.
"We are discussing how we can establish a trade negotiation agreement, take forward immediate high-level talks and identify the practical steps we can take now in order to enable companies in both countries to trade and do business with one another more easily."
Defence and security
Mrs May said that Britain and the US are "united in recognition of Nato as the bulwark of collective defence" after Mr Trump's repeated criticisms of the organisation.
She said that Britain shares the concerns of the US that other nations are failing to invest enough and "share the burden", adding: "It is only by investing properly in defence we can ensure we are properly equipped to face the challenges."
Britain and the US will "work closely together to defeat Daesh", she said as she pledged to deepen "intelligence and security co-operation" and hinted at a new drive to defeat Daesh on the internet.
She said: "We are discussing how we can work even more closely together in order to take on and defeat Daesh and the ideology of Islamist extremism wherever it is found."
Russia
The press conference highlighted the stark differences between Britain and the US on Russia.
Mr Trump refused to be drawn on suggestions that his administration will lift sanctions on Russia, saying that it is "very early to be talking about that".
Mrs May said she supported continued sanctions on Russia, and had advocated for that policy within the European Union.
Mr Trump went on to say that while he hopes he has a "fantastic relationship" with Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, he may come to find that he doesn't like him. "I don't know the gentleman, I hope we have a fantastic relationship," he said. "That's possible and it's also possible that we won't. We will see what happens."He added that it would not be possible to see how the relationship worked out until later.
"I have had many times where I thought I would get along with people and I don't like them at all. And I have had some where I didn't think I was going to have much of a relationship and it turned out to be a great relationship.
"So, Theresa, we never know about those things do we? But I will tell you one thing: I will be representing the American people very strongly."
Torture
Ahead of the trip Mrs May made clear that the UK will never sanction torture after Mr Trump wants a return of water-boarding and other "enhanced interrogation techniques".
However Mr Trump sought to defuse a potential row by highlighting the fact that his new Secretary of Defence, James Mattis, is opposed to torture.
He said: "We have a great general who has just been appointed secretary of defence.
"He has stated publicly he does not believe in water-boarding, torture, enhanced interrogation.
"I don't necessarily agree but I tell you he will override because am giving him that power."
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[FONT="]Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher wave during a meeting in 1984[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: ARCHIVES UPI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES[/FONT]
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[h=4]The new Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher?[/h][FONT="]Challenged about his views on torture, Russia, banning Muslims and punishment for abortion by the BBC, Mr Trump joked to Mrs May: "This was your choice of a question. There goes that relationship."[/FONT]
[FONT="]However Mrs May said that the Special Relationship would enable her to have "frank and open" discussions with Mr Trump when they disagree.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"I confirm I have been listening to the President and the President is listening to me, she said. [/FONT]
[FONT="]"There will be times when we disagree. The point of the special relationship is we are able to have that open and frank discussion. I am clear also there are many issues on which we agree."[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]However Mrs May said that the Special Relationship would enable her to have "frank and open" discussions with Mr Trump when they disagree.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"I confirm I have been listening to the President and the President is listening to me, she said. [/FONT]
[FONT="]"There will be times when we disagree. The point of the special relationship is we are able to have that open and frank discussion. I am clear also there are many issues on which we agree."[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher wave during a meeting in 1984[/FONT] [FONT="]CREDIT: ARCHIVES UPI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES[/FONT]
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[FONT="]She drew a direct comparison between their domestic agendas.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"If you look at the approach we are taking we want to put the interests of ordinary working people right up centre stage. Those people who feel the odds are stacked against them."[/FONT]
[h=4]Donald Trump on Donald Trump[/h][FONT="]Asked about his "brash" persona, Mr Trump said: "I'm not as brash as you might think. I can tell you I think we are going to get along very well. I am a people person and I believe you are also Theresa."[/FONT]
[FONT="]Mr Trump concluded the press conference by by saying: "I will tell you one thing, I will be representing the American people very strongly."[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]"If you look at the approach we are taking we want to put the interests of ordinary working people right up centre stage. Those people who feel the odds are stacked against them."[/FONT]
[h=4]Donald Trump on Donald Trump[/h][FONT="]Asked about his "brash" persona, Mr Trump said: "I'm not as brash as you might think. I can tell you I think we are going to get along very well. I am a people person and I believe you are also Theresa."[/FONT]
[FONT="]Mr Trump concluded the press conference by by saying: "I will tell you one thing, I will be representing the American people very strongly."[/FONT]
