President Donald Trump on Friday walked back recent comments he made in which he questioned the possibility of a trade deal between the U. S.…
President Donald Trump on Friday walked back recent comments he made in which he questioned the possibility of a trade deal between the U. S. and U. K. if British Prime Minister Theresa May continues with a so-called « soft » exit from the European Union.
In an interview with The Sun published Thursday, Trump warned that a soft Brexit strategy, under which the U. K. maintains close ties with the EU, would make a lucrative trade deal with the U. S. unlikely.
« If they do a deal like that, we would be dealing with the European Union instead of dealing with the U. K., so it will probably kill the deal, » Trump said. « If they do that, then their trade deal with the U. S. will probably not be made. »
During that interview, Trump also said that May « didn’t listen » to his advice on how to approach Brexit.
Trump had a different tone at Friday’s joint press conference with May, indicating that he will support whatever the U. K. decides as long as the two countries can trade together.
« I want to thank Prime Minister May for pursuing fair and reciprocal trade with the United States, » Trump said. « Once the Brexit process is concluded, and perhaps the U. K. has left the EU, I don’t know what they’re going to do, but whatever you do is OK with me. That’s your decision. Just make sure we can trade together; that’s all that matters. »
Trump went on to praise the Brexit decision and repeatedly compliment May, despite criticizing her in The Sun interview.
« We continue a long tradition of friendship, collaboration, and affection between ourselves and also between our people, » Trump said.
During the press conference, BBC reporter Laura Kuenssberg asked Trump what made him change his attitude on trade with the U. K.
« I didn’t criticize the prime minister, I have a lot of respect for the prime minister, » Trump said.
The president said that, while the story was « generally fine, » it excluded positive comments he made about May, adding that thankfully he records interviews with reporters to prevent fake news.
Some journalists, however, have already heard a recording of the interview and describe the article in The Sun as accurate.
