Davos 2018: Trump and May plan UK visit ‘later this year’

Downing Street confirmed that discussions are under way for the US President to come to Britain at some point in 2018, after he cancelled a trip earlier this month

President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Theresa May at the World Economic Forum, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, in Davos, Switzerland. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Plans are under way for US President Donald Trump’s visit to Britain later this year, Number 10 said on Thursday, after he met with UK Prime Minister Theresa May on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"The Prime Minister and President concluded by asking officials to work together on finalising the details of a visit by the President to the UK later this year," according to a statement from Mrs May's office.

Mr Trump's cancellation of his trip to Britain earlier this month had raised questions over the relationship between Washington and its traditionally closest ally in Europe.

Mrs May was the first world leader to visit Mr Trump at the White House after his inauguration last year and brought with her an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II for a state visit.

Since then, however, ties have become strained and thousands of Britons have taken to social media to promise large-scale street protests if the visit goes ahead.

The latest blow to ties came on January 11 when Mr Trump confirmed in a tweet that he had "cancelled" a visit to London during which he had been expected to open the new US embassy.

Instead, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited London to visit the embassy and held talks with his British counterpart, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

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The Downing Street spokesperson said that during the meeting in Davos, Mr Trump and Mrs May had discussed Iran and “the need to work together to combat the destabilising activity which it is conducting in the region, including ballistic missile development, and continuing efforts to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons”.

They also agreed to continue standing “side-by-side in the fight against [ISIL] in Syria and elsewhere”.

The two leaders also discussed Bombardier, with Mrs May reiterating the importance of the company’s jobs in Northern Ireland.

On Brexit, Mrs May updated Mr Trump on the "good progress" which has been made in the EU negotiations so far.

"The two leaders reiterated their desire for a strong trading relationship post-Brexit, which would be in the interests of both countries.”