Portrait of Theresa May
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Theresa May on Donald Trump

Strained diplomatic partner (strong)

TL;DR

Theresa May's tenure was strained by Donald Trump's interference, bullying, and undermining of key shared policy positions.

Key Points

  • She called her husband after an encounter where the President held her hand in the White House in 2017.

  • Her government issued rare criticism of the President after he retweeted material from the far-right group Britain First in November 2017.

  • Experts urged her to confront the President over his 'reckless' approach to climate change during his July 2018 State Visit.

Summary

Theresa May consistently navigated a challenging relationship with Donald Trump, characterized by moments of required cooperation juxtaposed with significant public and private friction. As Prime Minister, she sought to maintain the close working relationship between the US and UK, often prioritizing diplomatic necessity even when the President undermined her government's security and undermined her standing. Key evidence of this strain included the President's public criticism, his promotion of far-right material, and his administration's unilateral withdrawals from international agreements important to the UK, such as the Paris climate accord.

This dynamic marked one of the lowest points in the 'special relationship' since the 1950s, as documented by observers close to the situation. The US President frequently interfered in UK domestic politics, notably over Brexit, and sometimes humiliated the Prime Minister during high-stakes encounters, such as an incident involving hand-holding that caused domestic alarm back home. Her government also felt the US administration refused to listen on vital issues like climate change, leading to rare public criticism of the President from her spokespersons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Theresa May's overall experience was characterized by significant tension, despite the need to maintain the US-UK special relationship. She faced public criticism and undermining of her authority from the President during her time as Prime Minister. This dynamic led to the relationship reaching a very low point in modern history.

Yes, the Prime Minister was urged by experts to challenge the President on his withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. She also complained to him about leaks from US intelligence services to the press after terror attacks in the UK. However, she often had to navigate his administration's refusal to cooperate on these vital shared concerns.

While her official diplomatic stance remained one of necessary engagement while in office, sources reveal her private experiences were unsettling. The documentation of their time together suggests a consistent negative assessment of his behavior and approach to diplomacy. Her post-premiership comments often reflect a critique of his style and policies.

Sources5

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.