Trump predicts 'great and comprehensive' deal

United States President Donald Trump spoke on topics including Brexit, Huawei and international trade in a wide-ranging media conference alongside Prime Minister Theresa May at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London on Tuesday.

On the second day of Trump's state visit, the day before the leaders will take part in ceremonies to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the pair addressed the assembled media about their hopes for the future of the two countries' long-standing close relationship, and a variety of other topics.

In her opening remarks, May, who resigns from her post at the end of the week, said: "For generations, at the heart of the transatlantic alliance has been our shared democratic values, our common interests and our commitment to justice.

"It is that unity of purpose that will preserve the deep-rooted ties between our people and underpin our nations' security and prosperity for the next 75 years and beyond."

Talking about shared areas of international concern, she touched upon climate change, Iran's nuclear ambitions, "and we also spoke about China, recognizing its economic significance and that we cannot ignore action that threatens our shared interests or values".

Trump replied by talking of the two countries' "extraordinary" relationship, "the greatest alliance the world has ever known", before moving on to other subjects.

When asked about a potential future trade deal between the US and United Kingdom after the UK leaves the European Union, Trump said: "I think we're going to have a great and comprehensive trade deal", and when the National Health Service was mentioned by name, he replied: "Everything on the table."

On the topic of Huawei, Trump was asked if there was any potential for economic sanctions against the UK if it allowed the Chinese mobile phone company to be involved with the building of the UK's 5G network. He said no, "because we're going to have absolutely an agreement on Huawei and everything else … we will be able to work out any differences".

Trump renewed his attack on London Mayor Sadiq Khan, calling him a "negative force", and said he had rejected an approach for a meeting from Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, describing him in the same terms.

On the topic of Brexit, and the potential for the UK leaving the EU at the end of October without a deal, Trump said he "understood the issue very well", adding: "It will happen and it probably should happen, and it wants its own identity, it wants its own borders, it wants to run its own affairs ... It deserves a special place ... I believe the PM's brought it to a very good point where something will take place in the not too distant future."

Whatever does happen with regard to Brexit will be on the watch of May's successor as prime minister. Trump said he "knows" and "likes" frontrunner Boris Johnson, whose leadership potential he has endorsed both on this trip and his previous visit to the UK last summer, adding that he "thinks he'd do a good job".

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was also praised, but when asked about Michael Gove, who Trump was due to meet after the May media conference, he replied: "I don't know Michael", despite the pair having been photographed together after Gove interviewed him for the Times newspaper in January 2017.

Trump also dismissed as "fake news" reports of protests against him, saying he had seen "thousands of people on the streets cheering". Sky News estimated there was a crowd of around 10,000 people in Trafalgar Square protesting against Trump's visit on Tuesday, and there was another gathering in Parliament Square where the 'Trump Baby' blimp was flying. Many streets in London had limited access during the course of the presidential visit for security reasons.