Trump says he would negotiate Brexit with 'tougher' attitude than Theresa May

By Andrew MacAskill

 

U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump would take a "tougher" approach to Brexit negotiations than Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, he said in a television interview to be broadcast later on Sunday.

 

In the interview with British channel ITV, Trump said the European Union was "not cracked up to what it's supposed to be" and claimed he had predicted the result of the June 2016 referendum in which Britons voted to leave the EU. Trump was elected to the U.S. presidency later the same year.

 

When asked if May was in a "good position" regarding the ongoing Brexit talks, Trump replied: "Would it be the way I negotiate? No, I wouldn't negotiate it the way it's [being] negotiated ... I would have had a different attitude."

 

Pressed on how his approach would be different, he said: "I would have said the European Union is not cracked up to what it's supposed to be. I would have taken a tougher stand in getting out."

 

May was the first foreign leader to visit Trump after his inauguration in January last year and they were filmed emerging from the White House holding hands.

 

But the "special relationship" between the two nations has since faced several ups and downs, including Trump rebuking May on Twitter after she criticised him for retweeting British far-right anti-Islam videos.

 

He said in an earlier extract from the same interview that he had not intended to cause offence in Britain by sharing the videos and that he would apologise if the original posters were horrible racists.

 

Trump's comments on militant attacks in Britain have angered some and he has often exchanged barbs on social media with London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

 

Trump also said in the interview that he had anticipated the Brexit referendum result because of many Britons' concerns over immigration -- also a key plank of his U.S. election campaign.

 

"I said [that] because of trade, but mostly immigration, Brexit is going to be a big upset. And I was right," he said. "I know the British people and understand them."

 

"They don't want people coming from all over the world into Britain, they don't know anything about these people."

 

Trump also said he had been invited by May to make two visits to Britain this year.

 

Earlier this month, he cancelled a trip to London to open a new embassy, saying he did not want to endorse a bad deal agreed by the Obama administration to sell the old one for "peanuts".

 

Some Britons are angry at the prospect of a visit by Trump, with large protests expected when he does arrive.

 

Asked in the interview if he had been invited to the wedding of Britain's Prince Harry and his American fiancée Meghan Markle, Trump said: "Not that I know of."

 

He declined to say if he would like to attend the wedding at Windsor Castle but added: "I want them to be happy. I really want them to be happy.

"They look like a lovely couple."

 

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Catherine Evans)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-01-29

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

U.S. President Donald Trump would take a "tougher" approach to Brexit negotiations than Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, he said in a television interview to be broadcast later on Sunday.

 

You poor, poor Brits!

 

If only you had Trump as your Prime Minister, everything would be wonderful in your country!

 

 

We have seen how successful Trump's negotiation skills have been in the political and diplomatic arena over the past year or so. 

 

With friends like Trump.......

Edited January 28, 20188 yr by Chang_paarp

Very undiplomatic, unhelpful, and insulting comment from the shouldn't-be minority-supported U.S. president. I apologize to the U.K. on behalf of all decent Americans. Our president is shameless but he doesn't share that defect with all Americans. 

A new low.

It will take many years for Europeans to start taking Americans seriously again - all the good work by Clinton (the man) and Obama has been erased.

 

Maybe his great skills at TPP negotiations could serve as example for her.

"No one is more sure of himself than a fool"

The grand poobah, says a lot of things...

Edited January 29, 20188 yr by Bluespunk

It proves good businessmen don’t necessarily make good politicians but the thing is, Trump is not even a good businessman. 

 

Americans can do better than putting this dipstick in the <deleted> House.

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Very undiplomatic, unhelpful, and insulting comment from the shouldn't-be minority-supported U.S. president. I apologize to the U.K. on behalf of all decent Americans. Our president is shameless but he doesn't share that defect with all Americans. 

 

Neither candidate received a majority of the entitled electorate's votes. The biggest total didn't vote. Maybe the election should've been re-run with honest candidates? If you could ever find an honest politician - we can't!

Trump's new slogan:

 

MAAOMA: Make an Ass of Myself Again

 

I hope Donald gets another 4 years after this term.....in a Federal prison

 

Perhaps he can loan Jared and Ivanka to Great Britain when they are done bringing peace to the Middle East....ha ha ha ha ha

 

Edited January 29, 20188 yr by tonray

Trump suffers from foot-in-mouth disease.  Maybe he'll die from Dutch Elm disease.

Advice from the master, we can all see. 

Hahaha, what a joke. He cannot clean up his own Nazi act.and is only a spoild petulant baby.

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Very undiplomatic, unhelpful, and insulting comment from the shouldn't-be minority-supported U.S. president. I apologize to the U.K. on behalf of all decent Americans. Our president is shameless but he doesn't share that defect with all Americans. 

Thank you for that. Can you tell him to mind his own bloody business

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Trump says he would negotiate Brexit with 'tougher' attitude than Theresa May

Theresa May said: How is your wall coming along?

He's probably right. There are few out there that can out - negotiate Trump. 

I doubt Trump has the faintest idea how Brexit is being negotiated.

I think many in the UK would have to agree with Trump on this.

I wish she would stop shaking hands with this nutter; she may catch something !

The usual journalistic failure to point out that Obama in fact had nothing to do with selling the old embassy.

That deal was concluded before he took office.

5 hours ago, oldhippy said:

A new low.

It will take many years for Europeans to start taking Americans seriously again - all the good work by Clinton (the man) and Obama has been erased.

 

 

A new low, yes - but that's pretty much a weekly thing by now.

 

As for the "many years" bit, doubt it. If the US manages to correct its course (meaning the next administration being Trump-free) things will probably get back to normal quite readily. Another administration which would see extreme politics at work will definitely be a problem.

2 hours ago, alanrchase said:

I doubt Trump has the faintest idea how Brexit is being negotiated.

Yes, but neither does Theresa, as she has to rely on what Dave & Boris choose to tell her...

7 hours ago, webfact said:

"I said [that] because of trade, but mostly immigration, Brexit is going to be a big upset. And I was right," he said. "I know the British people and understand them."

They don't want people coming from all over the world into Britain, they don't know anything about these people."

Must be difficult for May to keep a straight face. Trump's statement demonstrates he hasn't a clue regards Brexit / UK immigration policy, the EU does not dictate to HMG non EU citizens entry to the UK.

A post containing offensive references to Hillary and Theresa May has been removed as well as the reply.

On 1/29/2018 at 10:50 AM, Boon Mee said:

He's probably right. There are few out there that can out - negotiate Trump. 

As his several bankruptcies prove - in all cases due to his being outnegotiated.

Most likely position a couple of aircraft carriers off the coast and call them all some derogative names!