Britain and US will remain close allies, Trump tells May

The Prime Minister and the controversial tycoon discussed a desire to strengthen trade ties and confirmed the two countries would remain “close allies”, a Number 10 source said.

Mr Trump invited her to the United States and said it would be a “great honour” to welcome her to Washington, the source said.

The pair discussed a desire to strengthen trade and investment ties, which could be significant as the UK hopes to strike deals around the world after leaving the European Union.

Downing Street said Mr Trump told the Prime Minister the special relationship “would go from strength to strength” and set out his “close and personal connections” with the UK.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to US President-elect Donald Trump earlier this afternoon to congratulate him on his hard-fought election campaign and victory.

“The president-elect said he very much looked forward to working with the Prime Minister and congratulated her on her recent appointment.

“The Prime Minister and President-elect Trump agreed that the US-UK relationship was very important and very special, and that building on this would be a priority for them both.

“President-elect Trump set out his close and personal connections with, and warmth for, the UK. He said he was confident that the special relationship would go from strength to strength.

“The Prime Minister expressed her commitment to building and expanding the UK’s relationships around the world, particularly after the referendum vote, and the importance of our partnership with the US.

“She noted President-elect Trump’s commitment in his acceptance speech to uniting people across America, which she said is a task we all need to focus on globally.

“The Prime Minister said that we have a long history of shared values and added that she looked forward to that continuing in the future.

“She highlighted her wish to strengthen bilateral trade and investment with the US as we leave the EU.

“But she said that our relationship is so much more than that and our two countries have always stood together as close allies when it counts the most. President-elect Trump strongly agreed and added that the UK is a ‘very, very special place for me and for our country’.

“The call ended with President-elect Trump inviting the Prime Minister to visit him as soon as possible.”

Mr Trump had talks with a series of world leaders including Ireland’s Enda Kenny before speaking to Mrs May, but ministers insisted the “special relationship” remained intact.

The call did not happen until 1.45pm and Chancellor Philip Hammond suggested it may have been because there was “no urgent business” for the pair to discuss.

On Mr Trump’s anti-global trade stance, Mr Hammond said the president-elect should be given time to “sit with his advisers” and “consult widely”.

The Chancellor said Britain is best served by open markets and free trade but also recognises that there are a “significant” number of people, like many of Mr Trump’s supporters, left behind by globalisation.

But he warned against the “temptations” of protectionism, insisting open trade delivers long-term gain.

“The president-elect has only been the president-elect for two days,” Mr Hammond said.

“I think we should let him take stock and sit with his advisers and consult widely.

“Then of course we will look forward to engaging with him.”

Mr Trump has arrived in Washington for the first time since his election win as the first stage of the transition process began with a symbolic visit to the White House for talks with Barack Obama.

The two men have a difficult relationship, after Mr Trump was a major player in the “birther” movement which questioned whether Mr Obama was born in the USA - and therefore his legitimacy to be president.

Mr Obama questioned Mr Trump’s suitability for office during the bitter election campaign.

As part of the transition of power, the White House said classified intelligence materials, including the president’s daily brief, are now being made available to Mr Trump, as it was a courtesy extended to Mr Obama and his team by George W Bush.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest has also insisted Mr Obama would be sincere about ensuring a smooth handover when he meets Mr Trump, although he added: “I’m not saying it’s going to be an easy meeting.”

First lady Michelle Obama also plans to meet privately in the White House residence with Mr Trump’s wife, Melania.

The fallout from Mr Trump’s surprise victory continued with protests on Wednesday night in cities including New York.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the billionaire’s Trump Tower skyscraper in Manhattan.