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Donald Trump Escalates Attack on British Government

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has launched a further attack on the British Government as a diplomatic crisis between the countries has now started to escalate.

Trump posted on Twitter:

“The wacky Ambassador that the U.K. foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy. He should speak to his country, and Prime Minister May, about their failed Brexit negotiation, and not be upset with my criticism of how badly it was…”

The President added:

“I told her how to do that deal, but she went her own foolish way – was unable to get it done. A disaster! I don’t know the ambassador but have been told he is a pompous fool. Tell him the USA now has the best economy and military anywhere in the world, by far and they are both only getting bigger, better and stronger.”

The development comes after a leak of documents written by Sir Kim Darroch, the UK Ambassador in the United States, to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The attack on the British Government by the President of the United States is unprecedented in recent decades, with Trump angry that Darroch had questioned his governance.

The British Government rejected Trump’s shock refusal to deal with the UK Ambassador unless he was replaced, with a spokesperson for the Prime Minister saying:

“The UK government determines who its ambassador is.”

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Donald Trump Confirms US will not deal with UK Ambassador to the Country

Donald Trump, the US President, has confirmed that the American Government will no longer deal with the UK Ambassador to the country, whilst condemning the British Prime Minister’s dealing of Brexit. His decision comes following the leaking of private documents written by Kim Darroch.

Trump said on Twitter:

“I have been very critical about the way the U.K. and Prime Minister Theresa May handled Brexit. What a mess she and her representatives have created. I told her how it should be done, but she decided to go another way. I do not know the Ambassador, but he is not liked or well thought of within the U.S. We will no longer deal with him.”

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has yet to formally respond to the President’s comments.

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Donald Trump Launches Attack on British Ambassador to the United States

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has launched an attack on the British Ambassador to the country, saying that “he has not served the UK well, I can tell you that”. The comments follow the leaking of confidential documents sent by Sir Kim Darroch, the Ambassador, to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Liam Fox, the Secretary of State for International Trade, condemned the leak of the documents, saying:

“I hope if we can identify the individual, either the full force of internal discipline – or if necessary the law – will be brought to bear because this sort of behaviour has no place in public life”.

Darroch had said in the leaked documents:

“We don’t really believe the Trump administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional; less unpredictable; less faction-riven; less diplomatically clumsy and inept.”

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UK Government Support US Declaration Condemning the Annexation of the Crimea

The British Government has said that it will back the US Government’s declaration which condemned the Russian annexation of the Crimea.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said:

“The UK echoes the United States’ firm statement of opposition to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. The UK position is clear: we condemn Russia’s continued breach of international law; Crimea is Ukrainian territory. We remain fully committed to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

The UK also remains deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Crimea, where we have seen the systematic persecution of minority groups and of those who voice their opposition to Russia’s illegal annexation of the territory. We call again for Russia to release all Ukrainian political prisoners held in Crimea and in Russia, and to allow unrestrained access for international human rights monitoring bodies to the peninsula”.

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Donald Trump Confirms Date of Visit to the UK

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has confirmed that he will be visiting the UK on Friday 13 July 2018. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister has said that more details about the visit will be announced in due course.

Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, said on Twitter:

“FANTASTIC news that President @realdonaldtrump will at last come to Britain on 13 July. Looking forward to seeing our closest ally and friend on the GREATest visit ever”.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, also said on Twitter:

“If he comes to London, President Trump will experience an open and diverse city that has always chosen unity over division and hope over fear. He will also no doubt see that Londoners hold their liberal values of freedom of speech very dear”.

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France, Germany, United States and UK Issue Joint Statement on Russian Attack

The Governments of France, Germany, the United States and the UK have issued a joint statement following the attack in Salisbury which has been attributed to the Russians.

The text of the statement reads:

“We, the leaders of France, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom, abhor the attack that took place against Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, UK, on 4 March 2018. A British police officer who was also exposed in the attack remains seriously ill, and the lives of many innocent British citizens have been threatened. We express our sympathies to them all, and our admiration for the UK police and emergency services for their courageous response.

This use of a military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia, constitutes the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War. It is an assault on UK sovereignty and any such use by a State party is a clear violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and a breach of international law. It threatens the security of us all.

The United Kingdom briefed thoroughly its allies that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack. We share the UK assessment that there is no plausible alternative explanation, and note that Russia´s failure to address the legitimate request by the UK government further underlines its responsibility. We call on Russia to address all questions related to the attack in Salisbury. Russia should in particular provide full and complete disclosure of the Novichok programme to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Our concerns are also heightened against the background of a pattern of earlier irresponsible Russian behaviour. We call on Russia to live up to its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council to uphold international peace and security”.

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Angela Merkel and Donald Trump Back UK Following Salisbury Attack

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, and Donald Trump, the President of the United States, have issued their support to the British Government during phone calls made to Theresa May, the Prime Minister.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said about Merkel:

“The Prime Minister spoke to Chancellor Merkel earlier this afternoon to update her on the ongoing investigation into the Salisbury incident.

The Prime Minister set out the conclusion reached by the UK Government that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack against Sergei and Yulia Skripal. They discussed the pattern of aggressive Russian behaviour and agreed it would be important to act in unison with allies to counter it.

Chancellor Merkel condemned the attack and said she stood in full solidarity with the UK. They agreed that the international community should coordinate closely as the investigation developed and in the wake of Russia’s response”.

On the Trump call, the spokesperson said:

“The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump earlier this afternoon to update him on the ongoing investigation into the Salisbury incident. The Prime Minister set out the conclusion reached by the UK Government that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack against Sergei and Yulia Skripal.

President Trump said the US was with the UK all the way, agreeing that the Russian Government must provide unambiguous answers as to how this nerve agent came to be used”.

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Theresa May Speaks to Donald Trump about UK Concerns over Trade War

Theresa May, the Prime Minister, has spoken to Donald Trump, the US President, about growing concerns that a global trade war may erupt. It comes after Trump said that substantial tariffs would be imposed on a number of sectors, including on steel and aluminium.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Syria, with the Prime Minister’s spokesperson saying:

“The Prime Minister had a telephone call with President Trump earlier today. They discussed Syria, and the appalling humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta. They agreed it was a humanitarian catastrophe, and that the overwhelming responsibility for the heart-breaking human suffering lay with the Syrian regime and Russia, as the regime’s main backer. They agreed that Russia and others with influence over the Syrian regime must act now to cease their campaign of violence and to protect civilians.

The Prime Minister raised our deep concern at the President’s forthcoming announcement on steel and aluminium tariffs, noting that multilateral action was the only way to resolve the problem of global overcapacity in all parties’ interests”.

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Karen Bradley Welcomes US Decision on Bombardier

Karen Bradley, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has welcomed a decision by the US Trade Commission which will prevent the US Government from imposing 292% import tariffs on products made by Bombardier. It was feared that hundreds of jobs would have been lost if the decision hadn’t been reversed.

Bradley said in a statement:

“It is excellent news that the International Trade Commission has unanimously found in favour of Bombardier. It is great that the company will continue to play a hugely important role in our economy as we build a Northern Ireland fit for the future.

I know Bombardier workers and their families have been waiting some time for this and I wish them well as we welcome this news together.

The UK Government has been working tirelessly to safeguard Bombardier jobs and argued from the very start this case was wholly unjustified”.

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Prime Minister Meets with Donald Trump

Theresa May, the Prime Minister, has met with Donald Trump, the President of the United States, at the World Economic Forum in Davos. They discussed a number of matters, including Bombardier, the situation in Syria, international security and Brexit.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said:

“Prime Minister Theresa May today met with President Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The two leaders began by discussing Bombardier, with the PM reiterating the importance of the company’s jobs in Northern Ireland.

The PM and the President discussed Iran, and the need to work together to combat the destabilising activity which it is conducting in the region, including ballistic missile development, and continuing efforts to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. They also agreed on the importance of continuing to stand side-by-side in the fight against Daesh in Syria and elsewhere.

The Prime Minister updated the President on the good progress which had been made in the Brexit negotiations so far. The two leaders reiterated their desire for a strong trading relationship post-Brexit, which would be in the interests of both countries.

The PM and President concluded by asking officials to work together on finalising the details of a visit by the President to the UK later this year”.

A spokesperson for the President said:

“The President and Prime Minister discussed joint efforts to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and other jihadist terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq. They discussed the importance of confronting Iran’s destructive behavior across the Middle East and fundamental flaws in the Iran nuclear deal. The leaders committed to expanded trade between the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as how the two countries can work together to ensure all nations engage in fair and reciprocal trade practices. The two leaders also discussed plans for a working visit to London in the coming months and affirmed the “special relationship” between the two countries is stronger than ever”.