US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson heaps praise on Boris Johnson as he tries to save ‘treasured special relationship with Britain’ after Donald Trump scraps trip
The pair held talks in Whitehall and Downing Street today ahead of a meeting between Theresa May and the US President in Davos later this week
BRITAIN and the US have a treasured special relationship and always will do, the US Secretary of State has vowed.
Rex Tillerson, who was welcomed to London today by Theresa May and Boris Johnson, insisted that the strong transatlantic ties between our two countries are stronger than ever.
Just weeks after Donald Trump said he wouldn't be coming to Britain in a move which has frosted relations, the Secretary of State repeatedly praised our special bonds.
In an attempt to save the unique relationship which has existed for years, he said during a press conference today: "We also view this as the special relationship. It has been and will be.
"We spend a lot of time talking about the world's problems. Sometimes we forget about the importance of our own relationship.
"We treasure this relationship. I treasure Boris's relationship with me personally."
And Mr Johnson echoed Mr Tillerson's words, adding: "It is always worth saying that the relationship between the US and the UK is absolutely fundamental to our diplomacy but also to our economy."
The Foreign Secretary said over the weekend that a visit from the US President must still be on the cards, because it was our "single most extraordinary economic relationship".
Today he met with the US Secretary of State for talks in Carlton Street, and separate meetings in Downing Street - where they were joined by Theresa May and the US ambassador Woody Johnson.
The Prime Minister was keen to stress Britain's support for the Iran nuclear deal, which the US has vowed to scrap.
Her spokesperson said they agreed the need for the international community to work together "to counter Iran’s destabilising regional activity" and that the pair "discussed the continuing depth and breadth of the special relationship. "
Mr Johnson and Mr Tillerson will also discuss the ongoing crisis in Syria, and the civil war in Yemen.
Leading Brexiteer Boris is sure to continue to push for a swift trade deal with Britain after we leave the European Union.
He wrote yesterday: "In 2016 the people of the United States not only elected Donald Trump; they bought £100 billion of British goods and services."
He went on: "And it might curb Labour’s instinctive anti-Americanism to reflect that American companies have invested £250 billion in this country – far more than any other overseas investor, and that the 7,500 US companies in this country collectively employ 1.2 million people."
Earlier today Mr Tillerson made a speedy trip to the new US embassy in London, which Donald Trump has refused to come over and open.
A spokesperson said the visit would "reaffirm the US-UK special relationship"; but it is not known who will be there from the US to officially open the site in Battersea next month.
Tony Blair says Donald Trump should come for a UK visit
EVEN Brexit-hating Tony Blair has said that Donald Trump should be able to come to Britain on an official visit.
The former Prime Minister said there was a "problem" if the President of the United States couldn't come here.
In an interview with the Evening Standard he said: "If we’re out of Europe and you don’t dare invite the US President to Britain, we have a problem.
"No matter what you think of Donald Trump, Britain has to keep its relationship with America strong."
The US President has called off a trip to the UK to open the US embassy next month.
Sources have said he hadn't felt "enough love" from the UK government and that he didn't want to come if he faced protests.
But Mr Blair, who was close friends with then-US President George Bush when he was in office, said it would be "unpopular" if he did come over.
"There are a myriad of different ways we co-operate with America, some of which are visible and some of which are not," he added.
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The US President claimed he was unhappy at the cost and location of the new building, and ditched plans to come to Britain to visit it.
He tweeted: "having sold perhaps the best located and finest embassy in London for 'peanuts,' only to build a new one in an off location for 1.2 billion dollars. Bad deal. Wanted me to cut ribbon-NO!".
Downing Street will try to repair the frosty relations with Trump later this week, where Theresa May is expected to meet him in Davos.
But he might not even be able to attend as the US government shutdown over finances continues.
Hundreds of thousands of US federal employees were staying home without pay today as a result.