Trump promises May a post-Brexit free trade deal with UK ‘very, very quickly’

Theresa May and Donald TrumpStefan Rousseau/PA

• Donald Trump promises Theresa May ‘very quick’ deal on trade.
• President says “no two countries could be closer” than US and UK.
• Trump says he will visit London.
• Comments will be seen as a boost to May following her failure to win a majority in the general election.

LONDON — Donald Trump has promised a post-Brexit free trade deal with Britain “very, very quickly” following his meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May at the G20 summit.

Trump said the US and UK would work closely together to produce a new free trade deal.

“No country could possibly be closer than our countries,” he said.

“We have been working on a trade deal which will be a very, very big deal a very powerful deal, great for both countries and I think we will have that done very, very quickly.”

Trump added that he and May have “developed a very special relationship.”

The comments will be welcomed by May, whose future as PM was thrown into doubt following her failure to win a majority in last month’s general election.

Early Brexit negotiations, which began last month, have so far faltered on the issue of negotiating trading relationships after Britain leaves.

The Trump administration has previously suggested talks over a future US-UK deal could have to wait until the completion of similar talks with the EU.

Watch Trump on “special relationship” with May

The two leaders discussed the global financing of terror groups, the slave trade and the global economy.

The presidentinsisted thathe would visit London in the future for talks,despite reports that his planned state visit has been put on hold indefinitely.

Trump had been due to arrive for an official state visit this year but the event was not included in May’s Queen’s speech last month which set out all state visits for the upcoming two years.

Trump was reportedly reluctant to come to London while huge protests were planned against the visit.