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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 planned visit to the UK in February, where he had been expected to open a new $1bn (£738m) US embassy in London. | Donald Trump has cancelled a planned visit to the UK in February, where he had been expected to open a new $1bn (£738m) US embassy in London. |
In a tweet, the US president said he was not a "big fan" of the new embassy - which is moving from Mayfair to south London - saying it was a "bad deal". | In a tweet, the US president said he was not a "big fan" of the new embassy - which is moving from Mayfair to south London - saying it was a "bad deal". |
The old site was sold by Barack Obama's administration for "peanuts", he added. | The old site was sold by Barack Obama's administration for "peanuts", he added. |
The trip was not the controversial full state visit offered by Theresa May, for which no date has yet been set. | |
Downing Street declined to comment on Mr Trump's cancellation of the trip. | |
BBC North America editor Jon Sopel said he suspected the possibility of protests on streets of London would have also weighed in the calculation. | |
The US embassy move was confirmed in October 2008, when President George W Bush was still in the White House. | The US embassy move was confirmed in October 2008, when President George W Bush was still in the White House. |
However, Mr Trump blamed former president Mr Obama's administration for selling "perhaps the best located and finest embassy 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's North America editor said February's planned visit could have included meetings with Mrs May at Chequers or Downing Street and lunch with the Queen. | |
However, no firm date for the visit had ever been agreed, nor had the White House "nailed down the details of the trip", the BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Landale added. | |
"There were lots of maybes, said one official, but nothing definite," he said. | |
The ribbon-cutting 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 the prime minister met him last year. | |
The BBC understands that No 10 is considering options for a state visit later in the year. | |
Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, last month told the BBC he "absolutely" expected Mr Trump to visit Britain in 2018. | Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, last month told the BBC he "absolutely" expected Mr Trump to visit Britain in 2018. |
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. |
The cancellation comes after recent policy disagreements between the US and UK - including Mr Trump's move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. | The cancellation comes after recent policy disagreements between the US and UK - 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. |