Trump off to London for NATO summit, under pressure to steer clear of British election

By Steve Holland

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York City, New York, U.S., September 24, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump leaves on Monday for a NATO summit in London and he is under pressure from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resist the temptation to wade into the British election campaign coming up later in December.

 

As a presidential candidate in 2016 and then as president since early 2017, Trump has shown no restraint in showing support for Britain's exit from the European Union and critiquing the politicians involved in the country's long-running Brexit debate.

 

But with Johnson leading polls as he faces Dec. 12 elections, the prime minister who is hosting the London NATO summit wants Trump to mind the guard-rails, putting Trump in the unusual position of trying to avoid his normal impulse to comment on whatever he wishes.

 

Trump waded into the election in October by saying opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn would be “so bad” for Britain and that Johnson should agree on a pact with Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage.

 

Johnson's pressure prompted the White House to stress, as a senior administration official said, that Trump "is absolutely cognizant of not, again, wading into other country's elections."

 

That strategy could be put to the test as Trump faces reporters a number of times on the trip, including at what is expected to be a news conference on Wednesday.

 

The NATO summit takes place as Trump battles an effort led by Democrats who control the U.S. House of Representatives to force his removal from office through impeachment over his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden.

 

The impeachment imbroglio has overshadowed Trump's presidency as he looks ahead to his own re-election fight next November.

 

Trump, who got back to the United States on Friday from a whirlwind trip to Afghanistan, arrives in London on Monday night for two days of meetings with NATO leaders gathered for the summit.

 

He will have separate talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and attend a working lunch with representatives from Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and the United Kingdom. U.S. officials see the NATO summit as a celebratory moment for Trump as his pressure on member nations has led many to increase their military spending.

 

He is expected to seek support from member nations to increase pressure on China for what the United States sees as Beijing's expansionist policies.

 

"China is actively seeking a great presence and more influence across the globe, including in NATO's area of responsibility," said a senior administration official.

 

(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Nick Zieminski)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-02

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This idiot wont be able to not say something , it is beyond him to do what other people ask him not to do .

What's the relevance of the broccoli Trump is holding in his hand? Perhaps a 'subtle' way of saying the British are vegetables?

1 hour ago, bluesofa said:

What's the relevance of the broccoli Trump is holding in his hand? Perhaps a 'subtle' way of saying the British are vegetables?

looks more like cauliflower to me, (more presidential?)

My guess is that he will be presented with a few good ol English pork pies upon arrival, but not presented in the usual manner.

2 hours ago, harada said:

My guess is that he will be presented with a few good ol English pork pies upon arrival, but not presented in the usual manner.

Quite fitting for someone who spends his life telling porkie pies ...

Sincerely hope they're flying the Baby Trump balloon for the duration of his stay.

Trump and restraint..............those two words shouldn't even be in the same sentence.

16 minutes ago, roquefort said:

Trump and restraint..............those two words shouldn't even be in the same sentence.

Trump in restraints, now that's a beautiful sentence!

13 minutes ago, Becker said:

Trump in restraints, now that's a beautiful sentence!

 

Even anti trump blowhards and restraint in the same sentence would be some sort of miracle.

I think Trump will be simply advancing his agenda of getting NATO members to pony up their fair share 

of dues. He has freedom of speech ( I think) so he doesn't need Boris' permission and guidance on what to say and what not to.

8 hours ago, bluesofa said:

What's the relevance of the broccoli Trump is holding in his hand? Perhaps a 'subtle' way of saying the British are vegetables?

Turnips out of season I suppose????

Is he standing for the monster raving looney party as a guest???? 

Trump must be the center of attention at any event, of course he will shoot his mouth off. I predict then he will make a "joke" about demos going to impeach him for interfering with another election.

1 hour ago, JHolmesJr said:

I think Trump will be simply advancing his agenda of getting NATO members to pony up their fair share 

of dues. He has freedom of speech ( I think) so he doesn't need Boris' permission and guidance on what to say and what not to.

You are right about Boris donald gets his orders from putin done more for the russan federation than any asset in history sorry to England that he’s there running his mouth imo he is the atypical ugly American keep an eye on him he is bad news

I’m sure he will have a lot of childlike things to relay, and promote himself as well

I've given up ever thinking Trump is saying something truthful. I now just assume it's a lie. And I'll be correct at 70 to 80 percent of the time, at least. How many cringe worthy moments will he display?

On 12/2/2019 at 5:45 PM, Tug said:

You are right about Boris donald gets his orders from putin done more for the russan federation than any asset in history sorry to England that he’s there running his mouth imo he is the atypical ugly American keep an eye on him he is bad news

Maybe Putin will give Boris (Who he loves dearly and is a prime asset for him in his efforts to neuter the EU and UK) a help, and instruct Donald not to interfere in his (Putin's) UK election, as Matt puts it so well.

 

(Which paper this came from I am not sure - Matt is of course very widely known and contributes to many)

Its going to be hilarious when trump is out of office and world leader can troll him at will. Will be some fun times.