Trump turns to trade talks on UK state visit

US President Donald Trump meets outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday for trade-centred talks during his state visit to Britain, with protesters set to gather outside the gates.

After a glittering banquet thrown by Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, the second day of Trump’s trip turns from pomp and ceremony to politics and business.

The president’s three-day visit — centred around Wednesday’s D-Day 75th-anniversary commemorations — comes at a tricky time for Britain, with May stepping down within weeks over her handling of Brexit.

The UK-US “special relationship” has been under strain over different approaches to Iran, the use of Chinese technology in 5G networks, climate change, and Trump’s personal politics.

May is due to step down as leader of the governing Conservative Party on Friday, her Brexit strategy having imploded after nearly three years in the job.

Some 13 candidates so far are jostling to replace her as prime minister by late July.

Trump has weighed in on Brexit, saying he would walk away from the European Union without a deal if he could not get a deal he liked.

He has also said he would like to strike a quick trade agreement once Britain leaves the EU.

“Big trade deal is possible once UK gets rid of the shackles,” he tweeted Monday.

Trump and May are set to co-host a business breakfast meeting at St. James’s Palace with five top companies each from Britain and the United States.

Chiefs from BAE Systems, GlaxoSmithKline, Barclays, Reckitt Benckiser, JP Morgan, Lockheed Martin and Goldman Sachs International are among those expected to attend.