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US ambassador plays down Trump’s UK in ‘turmoil’ comment
LONDON, July 11, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – US Ambassador to Britain Woody Johnson
on Wednesday rowed back on President Donald Trump’s comment that Britain was
in “turmoil” because of Brexit-linked political upheaval.
Asked on BBC radio about Trump’s comments ahead of his trip to Britain, he
said: “There’s always turmoil in every country but no, no, I think the UK is
proceeding as it always does.
“It’s a very confident country, it’s a very capable country. We’re
extremely confident in the ability of the UK to plough through this issue
with Brexit and move on,” he said.
He said May was an “amazing leader at this point where she has a fragile
leadership, and being able to get through these issues the way she has is an
example of strong leadership”.
The Sun, Britain’s most popular paper, said Trump’s comments were a new
blow for Prime Minister Theresa May, who has faced two high-profile
resignations from her cabinet and a rebellion by Brexit hardliners this week.
“Donald Thump!” read the tabloid’s front-page headline after the president
told reporters that Britain was “in somewhat turmoil” and that the summit
with Russian President Vladimir Putin may be the “easiest” part of his
European trip.
Asked if May should stay in power, Trump said “that’s up to the people”.
Trump is expected to face major protests during his trip to Britain,
including a giant inflatable image of him as a crying baby to be flown near
parliament on Friday.
Asked about the balloon, Johnson said: “It’s really kind of irrelevant to
what we’re trying to do and it certainly doesn’t express the point of view of
the British people I’ve met”.
Trump on Tuesday also said Britain’s former foreign secretary Boris
Johnson, who resigned on Monday over May’s softer line on Brexit, was “very
supportive” and “a friend”.
“I maybe will speak to him when I get over there,” said Trump, who arrives
in Britain on Thursday and is set to hold talks with May and meet with Queen
Elizabeth II on Friday.
Ambassador Johnson said he would facilitate a meeting between Trump and
Boris Johnson, who is seen as a potential challenger to May, telling BBC
radio: “If the president wants to do that and he feels it’s appropriate,
he’ll make that decision.”
BSS/AFP/RY/1610 hrs