London awaits Trump's visit, braces for protests
- by Kelli Lowe
- in Global Media
- — Jul 12, 2018
While tens of thousands of Brits are set to protest Donald Trump's visit on Thursday, one pub in west London will be welcoming him with open arms.
Permission has already been granted for the 20ft high balloon caricature to be flown over central London on Friday, as Donald Trump arrives in the UK. The proposal was debated in parliament where Trump was heavily criticized.
During a press conference before departing the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit for the U.K., Trump was asked how he feels about the planned protests. "It's not for me to decide what's in good taste or bad taste". "Trump would share that level of national identity and patriotism".
Last month, Labour member of Parliament Gavin Shuker ran down a list of objections to Trump: the separation of migrant families and detention of children; the US departure from the United Nations' Human Rights Council; the USA president's praise for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
His meeting with Theresa May will take place in her Chequers country residence on Friday, followed by tea with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle.
"Now more than ever we have a responsibility to stand up for our values and ensure our voice is heard around the world", he wrote in London's Evening Standard newspaper.
The president said on Tuesday, "I think they like me a lot in the United Kingdom".
It would be a blow for Britain to lose that special status, said Shashank Joshi, a British security analyst.
"But from the public, the welcome will be far from warm", he added saying there would be protests across the country against Trump's "abysmal record on human rights, his repugnant attitude towards women and his disgusting treatment of minorities".
The economic and trade relationship with the U.S.is also vital: The U.S.is the U.K.'s single largest trading partner. "I think that's why Brexit happened".
"So that was the full planning that went into it - 10 pints of stout and, you know, late-night conversation."
Unlike visits from previous presidents, he won't be spending much time in London after his arrival.
In a statement ahead of Trump's arrival, she said the visit would focus on trade and strengthening defence and security ties, saying there was no stronger alliance than Britain's "special relationship with the United States".
Trump is due to leave Britain on Sunday for talks in Helsinki the following day with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose government stands accused by May's of unleashing a lethal nerve agent in the city of Salisbury.
