Trump dismisses Brexit deal, putting his ally Johnson in a tight spot

LONDON: Known for his proximity to Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had an uneasy first day of election campaigning when his Brexit deal was dismissed by the US president as “bad” and something that would prevent a trade deal between the US and the UK.

Trump called in during a radio programme with Brexit party leader Nigel Farage and went on to comment on Johnson, his Brexit agreement, a possible tie-up between the Conservative and Brexit parties, and to ridicule Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Labour picked on Trump’s comment that Corbyn as PM would be “bad”, saying that he spoke for the rich, while the party is focused on the many, not the few.

Downing Street had to publicly reject Trump’s remarks on the Johnson’s deal. Trump said the US “can’t make a trade deal with the UK” under the terms of the Johnson’s agreement, but a Downing Street spokesperson said it “ensures that we take back control of our laws, trade, borders and money”.

On Corbyn, Trump said, “(He is) so bad for your country… He’d be so bad, he’d take you in such a bad way. He’d take you into such bad places.” Labour charged that Trump is interfering in the coming UK election.

As campaigning picked up for the December 12 polls, Farage suggested an alliance with the Conservatives, who have rejected an alliance with any party. The Brexit Party wants a clean break from the EU, without any deal, while Johnson has promised to deliver Brexit on the basis of an agreement if elected.