Trump renews attack on London mayor Sadiq Khan

LONDON

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday renewed his attack on London Mayor Sadiq Khan, describing him “a negative force”.

In a news conference following his meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Trump said Khan should focus on dealing with the problems he faces instead of targeting a representative of the U.S.

The visiting U.S. president had tweeted as he was landing in the U.K. on Monday that Sadiq Khan was a “stone cold loser.”

A war of words between the duo had reached a new low yesterday as Trump said that Sadiq Khan “who by all accounts has done a terrible job as Mayor of London, has been foolishly “nasty” to the visiting President of the United States, by far the most important ally of the United Kingdom.”

“He is a stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London, not me[…],” the U.S. president said.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, while addressing anti-Trump protesters at the Parliament Square, said Trump's policies on immigration, human rights, trade and climate change were divisive.

The Labour leader said he was "very disappointed" by Trump's attack on Sadiq Khan.

Trump said Corbyn asked to meet himself today or tomorrow but "I said no".

"I don't like critics as much as I respect people who get things done," he said, also describing Corbyn as a "negative force."

A Labour statement later confirmed that Corbyn requested a meeting with the U.S. president to talk about issues including climate issues, peace and immigration.

Corbyn boycotted a state banquet organized for Trump Monday night.

- Special relationship

Trump met May Tuesday on his second day of a three-day-long state visit to discuss future trade arrangements between the two country and various security issues.

May started paying tribute to those who died in D-Day in the joint news conference held in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and underlined the special relationship between the U.K. and the U.S.

“I have always believed that cooperation and compromise are the basis of strong alliances, and nowhere is this more true than in the special relationship,” May said.

“Today we have discussed again the importance of our two nations working together to address Iran’s destabilizing activity in the region and to ensure Tehran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon,” she added.

The prime minister said she also spoke with Trump “about China, recognizing its economic significance and that we cannot ignore action that threatens our shared interests or values.”

The visiting president also underlined the special bond between the two countries and the alliance cemented in D-Day during the World War II.

Trying not to intervene with Britain’s domestic issues -- as he has received criticism as he made statements in support of some Conservative party leadership hopefuls including former Foreign Secretary Boris Jonson -- Donald Trump said Brexit would be good for the U.K.

Responding to a question on previous disagreements on Britain’s approach to working with Chinese Huawei for its new 5G infrastructure, Trump said they spoke about matters including Huawei and they are in agreement on the issue with British.

On a separate note, Trump said the U.S. will carry on increasing tariffs for Mexico if they do not stop the illegal immigration into the U.S.

Responding to another question regarding a future trade deal with the U.K. after Brexit, Trump said many areas, including Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) would be on the table in trade talks.

Trump said he did not see any protests but just cheering people, calling news on large protests “fake news.”

Tens of thousands people protested the U.S. president outside the government offices while he was holding a meeting with May. His motorcade avoided Trafalgar Square and most of the Whitehall where large crowds filled before his visit to May due to top-level security measures.

Trump visited Churchill War Rooms following the press conference. He will dine with Prince Charles in the evening to end the second day of his visit.

He will go to Portsmouth on Wednesday to attend 75th D-Day anniversary together with British Royal family members and other leaders before leaving for France for further commemorations of the Normandy landing.