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Donald Trump cancels February visit to UK | Donald Trump cancels February visit to UK |
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Donald Trump has cancelled a visit to the UK planned for February, saying he was not a "big fan" of the new US embassy in London he was due to open. | Donald Trump has cancelled a visit to the UK planned for February, saying he was not a "big fan" of the new US embassy in London he was due to open. |
The US president had been expected to open the new $1bn (£738m) building, commissioned by his predecessor Barack Obama, which he said was a "bad deal". | The US president had been expected to open the new $1bn (£738m) building, commissioned by his predecessor Barack Obama, which he said was a "bad deal". |
The ceremony may instead be hosted by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. | The ceremony may instead be hosted by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. |
Mr Trump accepted the Queen's invitation for an official state visit when Theresa May met him last year. | Mr Trump accepted the Queen's invitation for an official state visit when Theresa May met him last year. |
Downing Street declined to comment on Mr Trump's cancellation of February's working trip to the UK. | Downing Street declined to comment on Mr Trump's cancellation of February's working trip to the UK. |
In a tweet, Mr Trump said he was not happy that the Obama administration had sold the previous US embassy at Grosvenor Square in London for "peanuts". | In a tweet, Mr Trump said he was not happy that the Obama administration had sold the previous US embassy at Grosvenor Square in London for "peanuts". |
He said the new building in Vauxhall, south London, was in an "off location", adding: "Wanted me to cut ribbon-NO!" | He said the new building in Vauxhall, south London, was in an "off location", adding: "Wanted me to cut ribbon-NO!" |
The BBC understands that No 10 is considering options for a state visit later in the year, with plans for Mr Trump to have lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. | The BBC understands that No 10 is considering options for a state visit later in the year, with plans for Mr Trump to have lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. |
But no firm date for a state visit had ever been agreed, nor had the White House "nailed down the details of the trip", says BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale. | But no firm date for a state visit had ever been agreed, nor had the White House "nailed down the details of the trip", says BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale. |
Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, last month told the BBC he "absolutely" expected Mr Trump to visit Britain in the new year. | Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, last month told the BBC he "absolutely" expected Mr Trump to visit Britain in the new year. |
The latest development follows reports that Mr Trump wanted to delay a potential visit amid concerns about large-scale protests. | The latest development follows reports that Mr Trump wanted to delay a potential visit amid concerns about large-scale protests. |
During the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament last summer, there was no mention of a visit - although a Downing Street spokesman said an invitation had been "extended and accepted". | During the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament last summer, there was no mention of a visit - although a Downing Street spokesman said an invitation had been "extended and accepted". |
Mrs May was the first foreign leader to meet Mr Trump after his inauguration when she visited the Oval Office in January 2017. | Mrs May was the first foreign leader to meet Mr Trump after his inauguration when she visited the Oval Office in January 2017. |
Typically during state visits, the government, the visiting government and the royal household agree on a detailed schedule where the Queen acts as the official host. | Typically during state visits, the government, the visiting government and the royal household agree on a detailed schedule where the Queen acts as the official host. |
Recent policy disagreements between the US and UK are not thought to have played a part in the decision - including Mr Trump's move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. | Recent policy disagreements between the US and UK are not thought to have played a part in the decision - including Mr Trump's move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. |
Mrs May said she disagreed with that US decision, which she deemed "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region". | Mrs May said she disagreed with that US decision, which she deemed "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region". |
And in November, Mr Trump clashed with Mrs May after she said it was "wrong" for the US president to share videos posted by the far-right group Britain First. | And in November, Mr Trump clashed with Mrs May after she said it was "wrong" for the US president to share videos posted by the far-right group Britain First. |
Mrs May more recently discussed Brexit and events in the Middle East in a pre-Christmas phone call with Mr Trump. | Mrs May more recently discussed Brexit and events in the Middle East in a pre-Christmas phone call with Mr Trump. |