Donald Trump has told Andy Burnham the Chagos Islands deal is “terrible” in the latest withering assessment of the giveaway from the US.
Speaking at a press conference following a bilateral meeting, the President confirmed outright he did not support the “surrender” to Mr Burnham’s face.
“I don’t support it,” he said.
“Most of them say they have ownership. Somebody has ownership that never showed up before after decades and centuries. I think it’s ridiculous.”
He added: “It’s strategically very important. Very important. We had to send our B2 bombers when we bombed the Iran nuclear [sites], we had to send the B2 bombers back home to Missouri, as opposed to flying for a short period of time.
“They had to fly for a long period of time. It’s amazing how strategic it is, and I think the Prime Minister is going to be looking at it.”
Mr Burnham has said Britain will “work hard” to find a resolution to the issue following the press conference with Mr Trump.
The comments come after the pair met for the first time in person – and Mr Burnham said he and the US President had “established a good connection”.
He said: “We have established a good connection in our early discussions and we’ve taken that further today.”
In a more ringing endorsement of the “special relationship”, Mr Trump said the UK had “great patriotism” and is “waiting for success”.
Donald Trump has told Andy Burnham the Chagos Islands deal is ‘terrible’ in the latest withering assessment of the giveaway from the US
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REUTERS
Though in a swipe at Labour, he jabbed that Britain was still “waiting for good leadership”.
“I think there’s a tremendous patriotism in Britain,” he said.
“They want to see great things happen. Tremendous potential. I mean, I see some countries, and I’m with the leaders, and I don’t say it, but I don’t see a lot of potential. That they’ve got a tough road to go.
“This is a country with great patriots. They love the country.
“People love the country as much as any other country I can think of, and I think it’s just waiting for success, waiting for good leadership, waiting for success.”
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