President Donald Trump and King Charles III of England hold talks at the White House in Washington. (Associated Press)
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States has “no closer friend than Britain” as he welcomed King Charles III to the White House for a state visit, overshadowed by tensions over the Iran war.In a ceremonious welcome ceremony, in which Trump fired a 21-gun salute, his tone was at odds with recent attacks on the British government over its failure to join the conflict with Tehran.
“In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British,” Trump said. Using a phrase that has been cherished by the British government since it was first used by Winston Churchill after World War II, Trump said the two countries had a “special relationship that we hope will always remain.”Trump also praised the British military, saying “no one can fight better with the United States” – despite recently deriding Britain’s two aircraft carriers as “toys”.
