US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May walk at the White House on January 27, 2017 in Washington, DC © AFP / Brendan Smialowski
Washington, United States, Jan 27 – President Donald Trump made his debut as a statesman Friday, welcoming British Prime Minister Theresa May as the first foreign leader to visit his White House.
The meeting is a pivotal moment in trans-Atlantic relations, which have been rocked by Trump’s election and his willingness to rethink NATO, the UN and other foundation blocks of the liberal world order.
Trump greeted May himself upon her arrival at the White House. The pair then met in the Oval Office, posing and shaking hands in front of a bust of Winston Churchill.
They will hold a joint press conference at roughly 1800 GMT before a working lunch.
May’s trip is equal parts influence campaign and charm offensive.
British Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump speak during a press conference at the White House January 27, 2017 in Washington, DC © AFP / Brendan Smialowski
She is expected to give Trump an engraved quaich — a ceremonial cup exchanged by Scottish highland chiefs — in a nod to Trump’s Scottish ancestry. His mother was born on the island of Lewis.
For First Lady Melania Trump, May will gift a hamper of apple juice, damson plum jam, marmalade, Bakewell tarts and cranberry and white chocolate shortbread cookies.
But aside from the desserts, the meeting will have a meaty main course.
May hopes to win the neophyte president’s support for collective security arrangements that have underpinned European security since World War II.
Trump has decried NATO as “obsolete” and expressed a willingness to befriend Russia’s Vladimir Putin — two positions that deeply concern European leaders from London to Lisbon.
US President Donald Trump greets Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May as she arrives for meetings outside of the West Wing of the White House on January 27, 2017 © AFP / MANDEL NGAN
Much of Britain’s military power, including its nuclear deterrent, depends on US equipment and systems.
In private, European diplomats fret about the influence of top Trump advisor Steve Bannon, who has made common cause with right-wing nationalists and populists in France, Britain and beyond.
Shortly after his election, Trump met with right-wing British politician Nigel Farage, who has made dismantling the European Union his life’s work.
– Post-Brexit trade –
But Trump’s break with decades of US support for multilateral trade deals and his preference for bilateral accords could be manna for May, who is struggling to negotiate Britain’s complex exit from the European Union.
Faced with exit from the European single market, the British government is scrambling to secure bilateral deals around the world.
British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) and US President Donald speak in the Oval Office of the White House on January 27, 2017 © AFP / Brendan Smialowski
Netting a commitment from Trump for a US-UK agreement would be a major coup and help justify her visit to British voters.
May is hoping the prospect of a US deal — while complicated — will also help dispel fears among a divided public that Britain may be economically worse off by leaving Europe’s single market.
Her decision to meet Trump just one week after his inauguration has caused controversy at home. Trump has been condemned by European politicians of all stripes for his comments about women, Muslims and the use of torture.
May was not helped Thursday when the White House misspelled her name multiple times when announcing her visit.
The reserved daughter of a vicar has promised to be “frank” in her dealings with the unpredictable billionaire, and laughed off questions about their personal compatibility.
British Prime Minister Theresa May (2nd R) lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, January 27, 2017 © AFP / JIM WATSON
“Haven’t you ever noticed that sometimes opposites attract?” she told reporters on her plane.
May began her day Friday with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of a number of British soldiers who died fighting alongside US forces in various wars.
Throughout the long US election campaign, Trump showed little interest in foreign policy except through the prism of his image at home and a pledge to put “America First.”
His first week in office has been marked by a war of words with Mexico over the building of a border wall, and his vow to make Mexico pay for it.
On Thursday, Mexican Enrique Pena Nieto called off a planned trip to Washington in protest. But the pair spoke by telephone on Friday, a Mexican government source said.
– The right stuff –
May arrived in the United States on Thursday and received a rapturous welcome from Republican lawmakers gathering in Philadelphia with a speech urging them to “beware” of Russia, and warning US allies to “step up” and play a greater role in global security.
Acknowledging rising tensions between the US and China, she said fears of the “eclipse of the West” would not be fulfilled if Britain and the United States continued to stand together.
May said NATO member states should contribute their fair share — a complaint made by the former and current US administrations — but defended the alliance from Trump’s claims it was “obsolete.”
May also defended the Iranian nuclear deal against the president’s criticism, saying it was “vitally important” for regional security — but must now be properly enforced.
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