Donald Trump set to visit the UK for the second time in May
US President Donald Trump may visit the UK for a second time in May next year, as part of a rescheduled state visit with Theresa May to coincide with 100 years since the end of the Second World War.
Woody Johnson, US ambassador to the UK, told the BBC today that the centenary commemoration "would be a good time" for Trump to visit, after his first attempt was dashed by protests across London.
Though his first visit in July was not on formal state business, Trump met with Queen Elizabeth. Protests were held in various locations, including one demonstration with a blimp depicting the US leader as a baby.
Johnson said the visit would occur after the UK has left the European Union in March, at a time when the two countries will be attempting to forge a trade deal that exemplifies their "special relationship".
When asked if Trump would like to come again for a state visit, Johnson said: "I would think the President would be in favour of it and looking forward to it because that was mentioned when he was over here, so if we can do that it would be, I think, a big positive."
He added that the current situation in Parliament surrounding a deadlock on the Brexit deal was unsettling, saying: "The country is in need of leadership."
Prime Minister Theresa May is attempting to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement with EU leaders over the festive period, before a postponed debate on the deal in Parliament in January.
Johnson today reiterated Trump’s view that the US was looking forward to a "quick, very massive bilateral trade deal" after Brexit, but that did not "look possible" under May's current draft agreement.
In November, Trump said that May’s deal sounded like it would only be good for the EU, casting doubts on how that would affect trading arrangements between the UK and US.