Trump to make long-delayed visit to Britain in July

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s long-delayed visit to the United Kingdom has been scheduled for July 13, 18 months into his presidency that has been notable for its occasional tensions with America’s closest ally.

The two governments Thursday announced the trip for Trump to hold talks with Prime Minister Theresa May.

“Further details will be set out in due course,” a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement.

Talk of a visit in Trump’s first year went unrealized amid several controversies sparked by his comments or tweets, including attacks on London’s Muslim mayor that May criticized. In February, Trump had been scheduled to open the new U.S. Embassy in Britain but the trip was abruptly canceled amid fears of mass protests. This was shortly after it was reported that Trump had called African countries “s---holes” in a private meeting in which he also disparaged Haitians and Central Americans.

The concerns over protests began as soon as Trump was elected and reached into Parliament, where some members argued against an invitation to the American president.

Neither the White House nor Downing Street has said where Trump will visit. British media reported Thursday that six conservative groups that support Trump sent the president a letter urging him to visit Scotland, his “ancestral home,” to avoid protests in London.