Donald Trump has not snubbed Theresa May, Downing Street insists
2 min read
Downing Street has denied claims that Donald Trump's decision not to hold a face-to-face meeting with Theresa May represents a snub - insisting the pair enjoy a "good working relationship".
No formal bilateral talks between the two leaders are planned at today's G7 summit, despite Mr Trump holding such talks with Canada's Justin Trudeau and France's Emmanuel Macron.
It was reported this morning that the US President is becoming increasingly annoyed at what he views as unreasonable demands from the Prime Minister, with one White House source describing Mrs May as "basically a school mistress".
But a Number 10 spokesperson today insisted that Mrs May would have several chances to interact with the US commander-in-chief despite the lack of a formal meeting.
They said: "She will be working alongside him today in many of the working sessions and she obviously spoke to him earlier this week and will be seeing him for his visit next month - so she’s had lots of opportunity to talk to him."
Asked whether the absence of a bilateral represented a snub, Mrs May's spokesperson said: "No."
They added: "They have a good working relationship. She speaks to him regularly and she is looking forward to seeing him next month."
Tensions between the two leaders have ramped up in recent weeks after the US President ignored the pleas of European allies and slapped hefty tariffs on US steel imports.
In a call with the US President earlier this week, Mrs May told Mr Trump that his decision to hike fees on steel and aluminium imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico was "unjustified and deeply disappointing".
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn today branded Mr Trump a "bully" over the tariff hikes, and urged Mrs May to "take a lead at the summit in calling him out".
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