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Trump praises 'extraordinary' US-UK alliance on state visit Trump praises 'extraordinary' US-UK alliance on state visit
(32 minutes later)
US President Donald Trump has said the US and UK have the "greatest alliance the world has ever known".US President Donald Trump has said the US and UK have the "greatest alliance the world has ever known".
In a news conference with Theresa May, he promised a "phenomenal" trade deal after the UK leaves the European Union, but added that "everything is on the table" - including the NHS.In a news conference with Theresa May, he promised a "phenomenal" trade deal after the UK leaves the European Union, but added that "everything is on the table" - including the NHS.
Mrs May said the scope of trade talks had to be agreed by both countries.Mrs May said the scope of trade talks had to be agreed by both countries.
Mr Trump also said he turned down a meeting with Jeremy Corbyn, who addressed protesters in Westminster.Mr Trump also said he turned down a meeting with Jeremy Corbyn, who addressed protesters in Westminster.
The US president is meeting Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage at the US ambassador's residence, Winfield House. The US president met Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage at the US ambassador's residence, Winfield House.
Mr Farage tweeted that it was a "good meeting" and Mr Trump "really believes in Brexit".
'Negative force''Negative force'
The Labour leader had proposed talks with Mr Trump, saying he was ready to engage with the US president on issues such as climate change, threats to peace and the refugee crisis.The Labour leader had proposed talks with Mr Trump, saying he was ready to engage with the US president on issues such as climate change, threats to peace and the refugee crisis.
"I want to be able to have that dialogue to bring about the better and more peaceful world that we all want to live in," Mr Corbyn told the crowd of protesters.
When asked about Mr Corbyn, the US president said he did "not know him, never met him, never spoke to him", adding: "He wanted to meet today or tomorrow and I decided I would not do that."When asked about Mr Corbyn, the US president said he did "not know him, never met him, never spoke to him", adding: "He wanted to meet today or tomorrow and I decided I would not do that."
Mr Trump, who is on day two of his three-day state visit, said Mr Corbyn was a "negative force".Mr Trump, who is on day two of his three-day state visit, said Mr Corbyn was a "negative force".
"I really don't like critics as much as I like and respect people who get things done," he said."I really don't like critics as much as I like and respect people who get things done," he said.
As the prime minister and US president paid tribute to the "special relationship", Mr Trump said there was "tremendous potential" in a trade deal after the UK leaves the EU, suggesting it could double or treble trade.As the prime minister and US president paid tribute to the "special relationship", Mr Trump said there was "tremendous potential" in a trade deal after the UK leaves the EU, suggesting it could double or treble trade.
Asked if the NHS would be included in post-Brexit trade talks, Mr Trump said "everything is on the table".Asked if the NHS would be included in post-Brexit trade talks, Mr Trump said "everything is on the table".
It comes after the US ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, last week told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, that he expected the "entire economy" - including the health service - to be part of a future deal between the two countries.
But Mrs May said any trade agreement would follow talks about "what should or should not be in that trade deal for the future".
Health Secretary Matt Hancock was among several Conservative leadership candidates hoping to replace Theresa May who said they would not allow the NHS to become part of any trade talks. "Not on my watch," he tweeted.Health Secretary Matt Hancock was among several Conservative leadership candidates hoping to replace Theresa May who said they would not allow the NHS to become part of any trade talks. "Not on my watch," he tweeted.
Mrs May said any trade agreement would follow talks about "what should or should not be in that trade deal for the future".
After speaking of the US and UK's "great relationship", she also said they had also "openly" discussed their differences, such as on climate change, Iran and China.
Analysis: What would a US-UK trade deal mean for the NHS?Analysis: What would a US-UK trade deal mean for the NHS?
By Hugh Pym, BBC health editorBy Hugh Pym, BBC health editor
There is nothing to stop American or any other foreign firms bidding for NHS contracts under current rules, as long as they have a subsidiary in the EU.There is nothing to stop American or any other foreign firms bidding for NHS contracts under current rules, as long as they have a subsidiary in the EU.
The health reforms in England in 2012 required local commissioners to put large contracts out to tender.The health reforms in England in 2012 required local commissioners to put large contracts out to tender.
A subsidiary of the US company United Health, along with British firms like Virgin and Circle, is among private groups which has won such contracts.A subsidiary of the US company United Health, along with British firms like Virgin and Circle, is among private groups which has won such contracts.
Around 7% of the English health budget goes to private providers.Around 7% of the English health budget goes to private providers.
There are different contracting arrangements in other parts of the UK.There are different contracting arrangements in other parts of the UK.
The head of NHS England, Simon Stevens, has called for new legislation to drop the requirement for health commissioners to put contracts out to tender.The head of NHS England, Simon Stevens, has called for new legislation to drop the requirement for health commissioners to put contracts out to tender.
But if the government decides to do this it's not clear whether that might be overridden by the sort of trade deal with the US mentioned today by Mr Trump.But if the government decides to do this it's not clear whether that might be overridden by the sort of trade deal with the US mentioned today by Mr Trump.
That's the suspicion of those who argue the NHS is vulnerable to covert privatisation.That's the suspicion of those who argue the NHS is vulnerable to covert privatisation.
At the news conference, Mr Trump also said:At the news conference, Mr Trump also said:
During his visit, the US president is set to hold talks with Mr Gove, according to a source close to the environment secretary.During his visit, the US president is set to hold talks with Mr Gove, according to a source close to the environment secretary.
The source told the Press Association "nothing has been fixed yet", but added: "Mr Gove was asked last night by Mr Trump's team if he would be able to meet the president today.The source told the Press Association "nothing has been fixed yet", but added: "Mr Gove was asked last night by Mr Trump's team if he would be able to meet the president today.
"He said 'yes'.""He said 'yes'."
His leadership rival Mr Johnson, who was also praised by Mr Trump before the visit, had a 20-minute telephone call with the president during the state visit.His leadership rival Mr Johnson, who was also praised by Mr Trump before the visit, had a 20-minute telephone call with the president during the state visit.
Mr Hunt is also due to have a meeting with the US president tomorrow as he seeks the Tory party leadership.Mr Hunt is also due to have a meeting with the US president tomorrow as he seeks the Tory party leadership.
Analysis: The 'end of an era' for May
By James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent
Theresa May's news conference with Donald Trump had an "end of era" feel to it.
Only days before she stands down as the Conservatives' leader, the prime minister set out clear positions she hoped may survive her premiership.
On Iran, the UK and US agree on the threat but disagree on the solution, and the US must "do everything to avoid escalation which is in no-one's interest".
On China, she said both sides cannot ignore the threat to their interests, but they must also recognise the country's "economic significance" - a clear warning against a lasting US trade war with Beijing.
On the transatlantic relationship, she emphasised she and the president were only "the latest guardians of this precious and profound friendship". In other words, she is going and so one day will he, and the relationship will endure.
Read more from our diplomatic correspondent
'Inappropriate' visit'Inappropriate' visit
Meanwhile, protesters in central London voiced their opposition to President Trump's visit.Meanwhile, protesters in central London voiced their opposition to President Trump's visit.
Police said more than 3,000 officers have been deployed for the president's visit.Police said more than 3,000 officers have been deployed for the president's visit.
Mr Corbyn - who boycotted the state dinner - was joined at the rally by members of other political parties, including the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.Mr Corbyn - who boycotted the state dinner - was joined at the rally by members of other political parties, including the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.
But he criticised the US president's attack on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. "I am proud that our city has a Muslim mayor, that we can chase down Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, any form of racism within our society," he said.But he criticised the US president's attack on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. "I am proud that our city has a Muslim mayor, that we can chase down Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, any form of racism within our society," he said.
Mr Khan defended his party leader Mr Corbyn's decision to boycott the state dinner at the palace.Mr Khan defended his party leader Mr Corbyn's decision to boycott the state dinner at the palace.
Mr Khan said he felt he and Mr Corbyn shared the view that a "close relationship" with the US president was important. He said he felt he and Mr Corbyn shared the view that a "close relationship" with the US president was important.
But he added: "What shouldn't happen is a state banquet and a state visit with the red carpet rolled out. I think it's inappropriate. I think those visits should be reserved for leaders who have done something and deserve that. I think it sends the wrong message to be seen to condone some of the things this president has said and done."But he added: "What shouldn't happen is a state banquet and a state visit with the red carpet rolled out. I think it's inappropriate. I think those visits should be reserved for leaders who have done something and deserve that. I think it sends the wrong message to be seen to condone some of the things this president has said and done."
Demonstrations were also planned in Birmingham, Stoke, Sheffield, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Chester, Leicester, Oxford and Exeter. Demonstrations were also planned in Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow, Chester, Leicester, Oxford and Exeter.
At the protestAt the protest
By Marie Jackson, BBC NewsBy Marie Jackson, BBC News
The whistling and whooping ramps up as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn takes to the stage in Whitehall.The whistling and whooping ramps up as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn takes to the stage in Whitehall.
The rainy streets are now packed with cagoule-clad protesters holding aloft umbrellas and placards saying "Dump Trump".The rainy streets are now packed with cagoule-clad protesters holding aloft umbrellas and placards saying "Dump Trump".
Some have their faces covered with #trumpstinks masks, others wear badges saying "another nasty woman against Trump".Some have their faces covered with #trumpstinks masks, others wear badges saying "another nasty woman against Trump".
There are mums with small children in buggies who have given up a day in the park to make their young voices heard, alongside seasoned protesters and US expats.There are mums with small children in buggies who have given up a day in the park to make their young voices heard, alongside seasoned protesters and US expats.
A little further up the street, police officers are dealing with a disturbance by the English Defence League.A little further up the street, police officers are dealing with a disturbance by the English Defence League.
The rain's holding off for the moment but Mr Corbyn has a message for the visiting president.The rain's holding off for the moment but Mr Corbyn has a message for the visiting president.
"Think on, please, about a world that is aiming for peace and disarmament, that defeats racism and misogyny.""Think on, please, about a world that is aiming for peace and disarmament, that defeats racism and misogyny."
The crowd roars cheers of support.The crowd roars cheers of support.
On Monday Mr Trump was welcomed by the Queen and had lunch at Buckingham Palace with senior royals. He also visited Westminster Abbey and had tea at Clarence House with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.On Monday Mr Trump was welcomed by the Queen and had lunch at Buckingham Palace with senior royals. He also visited Westminster Abbey and had tea at Clarence House with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
He attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in the evening, at which Mr Trump praised the "eternal friendship" between the UK and US.He attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in the evening, at which Mr Trump praised the "eternal friendship" between the UK and US.
The Queen said the countries were celebrating an alliance which had ensured the "safety and prosperity of both our peoples for decades".The Queen said the countries were celebrating an alliance which had ensured the "safety and prosperity of both our peoples for decades".
The president's visit coincides with the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which the Queen, Mr Trump and other heads of state will attend at Portsmouth on Wednesday.The president's visit coincides with the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which the Queen, Mr Trump and other heads of state will attend at Portsmouth on Wednesday.
Analysis: The 'end of an era' for May
By James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent
Theresa May's news conference with Donald Trump had an "end of era" feel to it.
Only days before she stood down as Conservative leader, the prime minister set out clear positions she hoped may survive her premiership.
On Iran, the UK and US agree on the threat but disagree on the solution, and the US must "do everything to avoid escalation which is in no-one's interest".
On China, she said both sides cannot ignore the threat to their interests, but they must also recognise the country's "economic significance" - a clear warning against a lasting US trade war with Beijing.
On the transatlantic relationship, she emphasised she and the president were only "the latest guardians of this precious and profound friendship". In other words, she is going and so one day will he, and the relationship will endure.
In a sentence Mr Trump could never repeat, she said: "I have always believed that co-operation and compromise are the basis of strong alliances."
As for the president, he kept the bombast to a minimum.
On Britain's future relationship with the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, he seemed reassured, saying "we are going to be able to work out any differences" and "we will have no problem with that".
On Brexit, he was more supportive of Mrs May than in his weekend newspaper interviews, saying the prime minister "has brought it to a very good point" and "she has done a very good job".
And on a future trade deal, the president generated headlines by confirming the NHS would be part of the negotiations.
As for Jeremy Corbyn, the president said he had refused a request to meet the Labour leader, dismissing him as "a negative force", clearly believing this is not a man he is likely to have to work with any time soon.
Yes, there were gags. The president teased Mrs May about not suing the EU during the Brexit talks. He also joked about who might be a suitable successor in Downing Street.
But the mood was more low key than high drama.
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