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Testing the limits of the special relationship | |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The BBC's Tara McKelvey is travelling with Trump as he visits the UK. | The BBC's Tara McKelvey is travelling with Trump as he visits the UK. |
Along the way she'll report on his efforts to promote the "America First" doctrine and follow protocol at Windsor Castle when he meets the Queen. | Along the way she'll report on his efforts to promote the "America First" doctrine and follow protocol at Windsor Castle when he meets the Queen. |
It was all smiles and hand-holding at a swish dinner in the countryside on Thursday night but hours later, the US president has thrown a hand grenade into the carefully choreographed welcome. | |
13 July - Testing times | |
Prime Minister May waited for President Trump at Chequers, a 16th-century mansion outside London. | |
After he got out of his vehicle, he mouthed the words "How are you?" | |
They acted in a friendly manner, and he followed her inside. As they walked, he put his hand towards the small of her back, protectively, but he didn't touch her. | |
Inside they sat in an ornately-decorated room and spoke to journalists. It was an awkward meeting. | |
Trump was deeply critical of May in The Sun, and he's here for a visit that was supposed to showcase the special relationship. She and other world leaders have steadfastly hung on to the idea that old alliances remain steady - despite what the president says. | |
He tried to reinforce that idea: "The relationship is very, very strong," he said while sitting next to her. | |
Still he's testing the limits. | |
Whether he can truly smooth things over with the prime minister - in private as well as in public - and give the two leaders a chance to get beyond the latest row remains to be seen. | |
12 July - Smiles on British tarmac | 12 July - Smiles on British tarmac |
President Trump knows how to make an exit - and an entrance. | President Trump knows how to make an exit - and an entrance. |
"Will Brussels ever be the same?" one of my colleagues wonders aloud as we fly over the city on Air Force One, heading for the UK. | "Will Brussels ever be the same?" one of my colleagues wonders aloud as we fly over the city on Air Force One, heading for the UK. |
Trump threatened to leave Nato if his allies didn't increase their defence spending, and he claims credit for the way they have responded. | Trump threatened to leave Nato if his allies didn't increase their defence spending, and he claims credit for the way they have responded. |
Behind the scenes, his aides struggle to explain his position on Nato and seem uncertain about his plans. | Behind the scenes, his aides struggle to explain his position on Nato and seem uncertain about his plans. |
At one point someone saw an official rushing down a hallway of the new Nato headquarters with a lectern - and we knew the president would soon be speaking. | At one point someone saw an official rushing down a hallway of the new Nato headquarters with a lectern - and we knew the president would soon be speaking. |
But people who work for the president seem exhilarated by the experience and say they're looking forward to his stay in London. | But people who work for the president seem exhilarated by the experience and say they're looking forward to his stay in London. |
The president says he's popular here - despite the fact hundreds of thousands of people say they'll be protesting on the streets. | The president says he's popular here - despite the fact hundreds of thousands of people say they'll be protesting on the streets. |
He's made a splash on the tarmac in Essex, at least. It's a lovely day at Stansted Airport and people here are smiling and seem happy to see him. | He's made a splash on the tarmac in Essex, at least. It's a lovely day at Stansted Airport and people here are smiling and seem happy to see him. |
He'll now fly on the presidential helicopter Marine One to Winfield House, the US ambassador's residence. I'll be in a helicopter near him in the presidential fleet - and we'll see how things go. | He'll now fly on the presidential helicopter Marine One to Winfield House, the US ambassador's residence. I'll be in a helicopter near him in the presidential fleet - and we'll see how things go. |