LONDON — Donald Trump said British MPs should “have a good time” and not be dragged away from their party conference recess when he comes to the U.K. in September.
Speaking to the BBC, the U.S. president appeared unfazed about the fact his upcoming state visit coincides with a House of Commons recess. It makes it highly unlikely that Trump will give a joint address to both Houses of Parliament, as some British allies have been clamoring for.
“Let them go and have a good time,” Trump said of the prospect of British MPs being recalled to hear him speak. “I don’t want them to.”
Trump was not granted a joint address of parliament during his first state visit in 2019, unlike Barack Obama in 2011. Some Londoners took to the streets to protest his trip, and a giant balloon of him looking like a baby was flown near parliament.
British allies include Reform UK’s Nigel Farage and senior Tory MP Suella Braverman have insisted parliament should be recalled to hear from the president this time around.
The U.S. president instead said his aim during the September 17-19 trip was to “have a good time and respect King Charles, because he’s a great gentleman.”
Trump also brushed of suggestions that the British monarch’s move to open the Canadian parliament in May was a show of solidarity with Ottawa amid Trump’s threats toward the U.S. neighbor.
“I didn’t view it as anything,” Trump said. “They’re wrapped up with Canada. So what’s he going to do? He has no choice.”
Despite supporting Brexit, the U.S. president also said Britain’s departure from the EU had “been on the sloppy side, but I think it’s getting straightened out.”
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