“Great days await us, great days ahead of us for our peoples and our countries. I will support a special relationship with the UK: my mother was Scottish." With these words US President Donald Trump welcomed British Prime Minister Theresa May at a press conference at the White House, confirming the intention to open a privileged axis in trade and other trade between the two countries.
May is the first foreign guest officially received at the White House: already during the electoral campaign, Trump has always shown esteem for British politics and appreciation for the decision to leave the European Union: "I'm happy to be here - said Theresa May-. This invitation is an indication of the excellent relations between our countries, which come from history and common interests. In our meeting we addressed many issues on which we agree. The fight against terrorism and Daesh. How to strengthen intelligence in cyberspace. We discussed Syria, Russia, defense cooperation. The work of NATO and the American commitment to the Alliance, with which the president said he absolutely agrees, were acknowledged. In terms of trading, we already have strong volumes. Britain wants to defend this relationship, which also concerns military equipment, so as to impose a stronger occupation through new trade negotiations. Practical steps to arrive at greater investments in the mutual interest of the two countries. Today's talks are important and I want to continue working with Trump."
At the press conference, Trump was asked about his intentions to lift US sanctions against Russia in relation to the Ukraine crisis: “We want to have good relations with Russiabut also with China and other countries. We have no guarantee that we will succeed, but it would be good." Then May was asked about the British position in this regard, when in Europe Putin's Russia is seen as a threat in terms of destabilizing the union project. In this regard, the British premier was decidedly more direct and precise: "We want the Minsk agreement to be implemented, before then there will be no talk of sanctions to be removed".
More nuanced Theresa May was commenting on Trump's favor of torture, another thorny topic in the ongoing debate in British public opinion on the partnership with the new White House. “I can confirm that the president listened to me and I listened to him. We will continue to discuss other topics as well, we may not agree but it is important to have frank relations. On many issues, we and the US are very close. We have to build special relationships in our interest and that of the world”. At this point it was Trump who made a soothing move to relieve his guest of embarrassment: “We have appointed General John Mattis, who does not believe in torture, waterboarding to the defense. I don't agree but he will win, the highly esteemed expert. He will work like this ”.
