Barack Obama’s final snub to Britain by describing Angela Merkel as his closest political friend as President embarks on farewell tour of Europe
The special relationship is already in doubt with the election of Donald Trump, and now Obama distances himself from the UK
PRESIDENT Obama has delivered a final parting snub to Britain by claiming Angela Merkel has been his "closest partner" during his time in office.
The outgoing President is on his way to visit the German chancellor, today in his final overseas trip, which will also include stops in Greece and Peru.
As Brits worry about the future of the so-called "special relationship" between Britain and the US, President Obama failed to mention that he would be meeting with other European leaders including Theresa May and French President, Francois Hollande.
Speaking at the White House before he left, he said: "In Germany I'll visit with Chancellor Merkel whose probably been my closest international partner these last eight years."
After Donald Trump's shock election last week, he spoke to nine other world leaders before Mrs May, pouring cold water on relations between the two countries.
But when the pair did finally get around to talking on the phone, Mr Trump said the relationship was "very, very special" and invited Mrs May to meet him in the US at the earliest opportunity.
Ukip's interim leader Nigel Farage has already flown out to meet the President-elect, but No 10 have rejected calls for him to play a part in talks with America, describing him as an irrelevance.
President Obama had a better relationship with the former prime minister, David Cameron. The pair were snapped together during visits eating hot dogs and watching basketball.
Since the UK voted to leave the EU back in June, the reception has been a little icier. President Obama warned before the referendum that Britain would be "at the back of the queue" for a trade deal if it left, and he later added that the country was wrong to vote to leave.
Mr Trump has been more welcoming, but has expressed concerns over working with NATO and signing trade deals with other countries.
President Obama also said today he believed a "strong, prosperous and unified Europe" is good for the world.
Speaking in Athens today the outgoing President said that the trans-Atlantic relationship is the "corner of our mutual security as well as prosperity".
He also urged his successor, Mr Trump, to consider the importance of the NATO military alliance.