When is Theresa May meeting Donald Trump and what’s the free trade deal between Britain and America?
THERESA May will become the first world leader to meet with President Donald Trump in an hour-long meeting at the White House today.
Mrs May is due to discuss a UK-US trade deal with The Donald in his first face to face talks with a foreign head of state.
May has already addressed leading Republicans after touching down in Philadelphia, evoking the memory of Thatcher and Reagan’s close ties as she called for a strong alliance with the US.
However, she also warned Trump the UK would withhold crucial intelligence if he brings back torture.
Here we take a look at when the PM will meet the new POTUS and what they might talk about.
When is Theresa May meeting Donald Trump?
Theresa May will arrive at the White House to meet President Trump at 5pm GMT – midday in Washington DC.
She hopes to renew the UK’s “special relationship” with the US “for this new age”.
Trump and May will then hold a joint press conference together at 6pm local time.
At 6.40pm the pair will joing US vice president Mike Pence for a working lunch.
The Prime Minister will fly back from the US at 22.30pm UK time.
May has previously told the House of Commons she “won’t be afraid” to talk candidly on issues they disagree with.
In the past she has criticised Trump for remarks he has made about women and Muslims.
During a speech to Republicans in Philadelphia last night, May told Trump’s part the UK and US should turn their back on two decades of “failed” foreign policy.
She said never again should the two nations try to “remake the world in their own image.”
Her comments were referring to Tony Blairs “liberal interventionism” speech in 1999 – whereby he declared that the world’s brutal dictators should not go unchallenged.
What will Trump and May talk about?
The pair are likely to discuss post-Brexit trade opportunities, security and intelligence co-operation, and the future of Nato during the White House discussion.
The Government is said to be keen to capitalise on Trump’s business links with the UK and his support for Brexit – something he has dubbed a “smart move”.
May told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: “There will be many issues for us to talk about, because obviously the special relationship between the UK and the US has been strong for many years.
“We’ll have opportunity to talk about our possible future trading relationship, but also some of the world’s challenges that we will face, issues like defeating terrorism, the conflict in Syria.”
In her speech to Republicans she is expected to say: “The UK is by instinct and history a great, global nation that recognises its responsibilities to the world.
“And as we end our membership of the European Union, we have the opportunity to reassert our belief in a confident, sovereign and global Britain, ready to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike.
“So as we rediscover our confidence together – as you renew your nation just as we renew ours – we have the opportunity, indeed the responsibility, to renew the special relationship for this new age.
What gifts will Theresa May hand to Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House?
Theresa May is due to present Trump with a traditional cup of friendship when they meet tomorrow.
The quiach, which has two handles, is a gift that has been exchanged between Highland clan chiefs for centuries.
The cups have traditionally been used for sipping whisky or brandy but Trump doesn’t drink alcohol.
May will also present First Lady Melania Trump with a hamper of jam, Bakewell tarts and apple juice made from produce from her country residence Chequers.
What would a trade deal between the UK and the USA look like?
It is thought that both sides want to strike a trade deal between the two nations which would put both administrations in stronger positions.
If trade tariffs between the UK and the United States were cut, or even abolished, it would put Mrs May in a much stronger position during Brexit negotiations with Brussels.
Travel between Britain and the USA is also thought to be up for discussion with around 230,000 North Americans thought to be resident in Britain and around 700,000 Brits living in the States.
Government sources have said she would like to explore ways to make it easier for US and UK citizens to work in one another’s countries.
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