I’ll not meddle in UK polls, says Trump
London, Tuesday
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday praised Prime Minister Boris Johnson but promised to “stay out” of Britain’s election campaign during his two-day visit.
Downing Street is braced for fireworks as Trump attends a meeting of the NATO military alliance in Britain just days before the December 12 vote.
“I’ll stay out of the election,” the US leader insisted, adding: “I don’t want to complicate it.”
Answering questions during talks with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, Trump added: “I think Boris is very capable and I think he will do a good job.”
The president confirmed he would be meeting Johnson, who is co-hosting the NATO summit. Trump will attend a reception for the alliance leaders at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening before Downing Street hosts them all.
But it is not yet clear if the pair will have a one-to-one meeting.
There is speculation Johnson wants to avoid appearing too close to a US president who is deeply unpopular in Britain, with protests planned in central London on Tuesday evening.
Great purpose
Meanwhile, Trump has accused his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron of being “nasty” for saying Nato was “brain dead”.
Trump is in London for a summit marking the Western military alliance’s 70th anniversary. He said Nato served a great purpose, and Macron’s remarks had been “very insulting”. He also said he could see France “breaking off” from Nato, but did not explain why. - Agencies
