Tillerson defends strained ‘special relationship’ in UK
SECRETARY of State Rex Tillerson defended the “special relationship” between Britain and the United States during a visit to London on Monday, following a series of spats since the election of Donald Trump that have strained ties.
Tillerson paid a discreet visit to the new US embassy in London afterTrump cancelled plans to open it himself – the latest in a spate of damaging rows.
The top US diplomat later met with counterpart Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Theresa May, speaking of the need to reset the relationship between the historic allies.
“We spend a lot of time talking about the world’s problems . . . and sometimes we forget about the importance of our own relationship,” Tillerson said as he met Johnson.
“We need to pay attention to that relationship . . . we treasure it,” he added.
Johnson described the relationship as “absolutely fundamental” to Britain’s economy.
The pair talked about Yemen and Turkey’s assault on Kurdish militia in Syria.
Tillerson also met with May in her Downing Street office, where they discussed the Iran nuclear agreement.
“They agreed on the importance of the international community coming together to counter Iran’s destabilising regional activity, and the prime minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to the Iran nuclear deal,” Downing Street said in a statement.
The US has been appealing to Britain, France and Germany to push for changes to the 2015 agreement, signed by then-President Barack Obama and much criticised by Trump.
“I think there is a common view among the E3 that there are some areas of the JCPOA [nuclear deal] or some areas of Iran behaviour that should be addressed,” Tillerson said.
Trump has yet to visit Britain since taking office a year ago, and has been involved in rows with the government over issues including trade and his retweeting of a video posted by a British far-right group.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also said he “would not be welcome” in the city, suggesting there could be widespread protests.