Trump praises ‘extraordinary’ US-UK alliance on state visit

US President Donald Trump said the US and UK have the “greatest alliance the world has ever known” in a news conference with Theresa May.

The prime minister said they had a “great relationship” that they should “build on”.

There were also frank talks about their differences, including climate change and business with Huawei, she said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged Mr Trump to “think on about peace” as he addressed protesters in Westminster.

During a breakfast meeting at St James’s Palace earlier today, Mr Trump said he believed there was scope for further expansion of trade between the US and the UK.

“I think we will have a very, very substantial trade deal,” he told Mrs May.

“This is something you want to do and my folks want to do,” he added. “Stick around. Let’s do this deal.”

BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said that Mr Trump’s remark to “stick around” was meant almost as a pleasantry rather than a serious plea for Mrs May to reconsider her plan to stand down. “It’s just trying to make this a little bit easier for her,” Mr Smith said.

He added that although Mr Trump “talks a good game” over a trade deal, the UK is likely to be in for a “slow haul”, with most deals taking around 10 years.

The meeting of five British and five American firms, senior ministers and officials was held in a bid to boost trade links.

Mrs May said there were “huge opportunities” for Britain and the US to work together in the future.

“It is a great partnership but I think a partnership we can take even further,” she told the president, adding: “Of course that is with a good bilateral trade deal.”

The US president is also set to hold talks with Conservative leadership hopeful Michael Gove, according to sources close to the environment secretary.

Mr Trump praised Mr Gove’s leadership rival Boris Johnson ahead of his visit to the UK.

A source close to Mr Gove told the Press Association “nothing has been fixed yet”, but added: “Mr Gove was asked last night by Mr Trump’s team if he would be able to meet the president today. He said yes.”

‘Inappropriate’ visit

Meanwhile, protesters have gathered in central London to voice their opposition to President Trump’s visit. Demonstrations are also planned in Birmingham, Stoke, Sheffield, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Chester, Leicester, Oxford and Exeter.

Police said more than 3,000 officers have been deployed for the president’s visit.

Mr Corbyn – who boycotted the state dinner – was joined at the rally by members of other political parties, including the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.

He said he had not refused to meet Mr Trump, saying: “I want to have a dialogue.”

But he criticised the US president’s attack on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. “I am proud that our city has a Muslim mayor, that we can chase down Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, any form of racism within our society,” he said.

Mr Khan defended his party leader Mr Corbyn’s decision to boycott the state dinner at the palace.

Mr Khan said he felt he and Mr Corbyn shared the view that a “close relationship” with the US president was important.

But he added: “What shouldn’t happen is a state banquet and a state visit with the red carpet rolled out. I think it’s inappropriate. I think those visits should be reserved for leaders who have done something and deserve that. I think it sends the wrong message to be seen to condone some of the things this president has said and done.”