Theresa May has said she believed she could a forge a strong personal relationship with Donald Trump, arguing that “sometimes, opposites attract”,
The prime minister argued that the two countries “have a joint responsibility to lead”.
In a statement of extreme importance May underscored that “the days of Britain and America intervening in sovereign countries in an attempt to remake the world in our own image are decisively over.”
May used the wide-ranging foreign policy speech to Republicans to underline the importance of Nato, which Trump has sometimes expressed scepticism about; and of standing up for allies, including those countries in Russia’s sphere of influence.
“When it comes to Russia, as so often it is wise to turn to the example of President Reagan who – during negotiations with his opposite number Mikhail Gorbachev – used to abide by the adage ‘trust but verify’. With President Putin, my advice is to ‘engage but beware’, she warned.
Theresa May’s next stop in Ankara where she will meet the Turkish President Erdogan. The importance of Turkey for both the US and UK foreign policies is well known and historic, but the arrogant way the Turkish President has being behaving is going to make approaching Turkey a very difficult task for both of them.