Donald Trump invites Boris Johnson for new year visit in bid to strike 'massive trade deal' after Brexit
2 min read
Donald Trump has invited Boris Johnson to visit him in the White House as the US and UK look to strike a "massive trade deal" after Brexit.
The Sunday Times reports that the US President - who is currently battling impeachment - has invited the British Prime Minister to make an official visit to America with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds in the new year.
A source close to the White House said: "The president has made it clear that he wants to strike a massive trade deal with the UK and has underlined his commitment by inviting Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds to visit him in the US in the new year.
"Some potential dates have been floated in mid-January but nothing has yet been formally agreed. But it is clear that both sides want to make it happen some time in early 2020."
According to the Mail on Sunday, however, Downing Street is "in no rush to accept" the offer while the US President faces the next stage of an attempt to remove him from office.
The controversial commander-in-chief has already been impeached by Congress over claims
he improperly sought help from Ukraine to boost his chances of being re-elected in 2020, and will now face a Senate trial in the new year.
The latest pitch for a visit was made after Mr Johnson's election victory, with the US President said to have told the Prime Minister that he and Ms Symonds could "go wherever they wanted" during a congratulatory call.
The Mail on Sunday reports that Mr Johnson would prefer to visit the US after a major Cabinet reshuffle pencilled in for February, which is expected to see Michael Gove handed the reins to a new 'super-department' that will head up trade negotiations after Britain quits the European Union.
It comes as the American ambassador to London, Woody Johnson, hailed Brexit as a "really amazing opportunity" for the UK.
He told the Sunday Express the country was on course for a "Roaring Twenties", adding: "You have a clear direction, you have really good leadership fired up to get something done."
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