Trump tired of ‘school mistress’ PM
US Editor DONALD TRUMP has grown tired of Theresa May’s “school mistress” tone, the president’s allies have told The Daily Telegraph as it emerged the pair will not hold formal talks in Canada.
Mr Trump is said to bristle at the Prime Minister’s phone calls, as Mrs May launches into policy detail rather than broader conversation. A senior US diplomat said her frequent demands annoyed him, something he sees as taking advantage of the UK-US relationship. A long-time friend said Mr Trump complained when she admonished him in public after being deemed to have stepped out of line.
A former White House official, who attended meetings between the pair, confirmed the frosty relationship: “No offence, but she is basically a school mistress. I’m not sure anyone gets on well with her.” The comments chime with a Washington Post report that Mr Trump sees Mrs May as too politically correct.
World leaders gather today in Quebec for a G7 meeting that has been overshadowed by the US decision to impose steel tariffs on allies. On the agenda for the two-day summit will be economic growth, employment, gender equality, climate change and world peace. Mr Trump’s decision has infuriated G7 members, as has his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.
It emerged yesterday that Mr Trump is expected to avoid any formal bilaterals with the other six world leaders at the the G7, instead opting for more informal meetings. It has been suggested he could leave early because he wants to focus on his attentions on his planned summit with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader.
Mrs May last night rejected Mr Trump’s claims that she is too politically correct after she rebuked him over claims that parts of London have become “no-go” areas.
Asked about Mr Trump’s reported view of her before the summit in Quebec, she said: “I just get on and make sure that I’m delivering. That’s the job of any politician.”
Gordon Brown, the former Labour prime minister, was infamously snubbed by Barack Obama, who turned down five requests for meetings during a 2009 gathering of world leaders.
Mrs May and Mr Trump have struggled to develop a close political friendship. Although the Prime Minister was the first world leader to be a guest in Mr Trump’s White House in January 2017 when the pair were pictured holding hands, officials admitted they were not especially close. A state visit to Britain is yet to happen and the pair have clashed several times over Mr Trump’s Twitter activity and political stances.
MORE than 40 conservation areas will be created in Britain’s coastal waters under plans for a “blue belt” haven for marine life.
Theresa May will today announce plans to create 4,600 sq miles of protected coastline marine habitats, increasing the current area by more than 50 per cent. The UK already has 40 marine conservation zones, covering 7,800 sq miles.
The so-called “blue belt” – the maritime equivalent of Green Belt land – is designed to protect rare species such as the short-snouted seahorse, stalked jellyfish, peacock’s tail seaweed and the tentacled lagoon worm. The zones span much of England’s coastline. Activities considered harmful, such as dredging or significant coastal or offshore development, will be barred.
Speaking at the G7 summit in Quebec, Canada, the Prime Minister will also call for urgent action to protect the world’s oceans from plastics and other harmful waste. She is expected to say: “Marine plastics pollution is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world today. The UK Government is a world leader on this issue, with our 25-year environment plan setting out a clear ambition to eliminate avoidable plastic waste to protect our rivers and seas.
“There is an urgent need for greater global action and co-ordination on marine plastics pollution, including working with business, industry and non-governmental organisations to find innovative and effective solutions.
“This is a global problem, requiring global solutions.”
Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, said: “Today marks an important step towards completing our blue belt. We are creating safe havens for … wildlife and putting the UK at the forefront of marine protection.”