Trump pledges 'lasting support' to US relations with Britain

British Prime Minister Theresa May listens as US President Donald Trump speaks during their joint news conference at the White House in Washington on Thursday. [Photo/Agencies]

President Donald Trump on Friday pledged America's "lasting support" to the US' historic "special relationship" with Britain after he emerged from his first meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May.

May, who said the meeting gave the two a chance to build a relationship, announced that Trump had accepted an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II for a state visit later this year with his wife, first lady Melania Trump.

Trump sought to charm May, noting during his first news conference as president that, "by the way, my mother was born in Scotland.""I am honored to have the prime minister here for our first official visit from a foreign leader," Trump said, standing alongside May in the ornate White House East Room. "This is our first visit so, great honor."He added that the United States and the United Kingdom have "one of the great bonds.""We pledge our lasting support to this most special relationship," Trump said during brief opening remarks. "Together, America and the United Kingdom are a beacon for prosperity and the rule of law."May thanked Trump for inviting her to visit so soon after his inauguration last Friday and said their meeting was an indication of the strength and the importance of maintaining good relations between the trans-Atlantic allies. She said there was "much on which we agree.""Today's talks, I think, are a significant moment for President Trump and I to build our relationship," May said.

The Trump-May meeting came a day after Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto called off his own trip to Washington next week amid wrangling over who will pay for Trump's planned wall along the US-Mexico border.

Trump's spokesman said the president would seek a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for the barrier, then later clarified that such a tax would be a possible approach.

May's meeting with the president is being hailed by the British government as a sign that the trans-Atlantic "special relationship" is valued by the new administration.

Before answering questions from a few journalists, Trump welcomed May to the Oval Office where he promptly showed off a bust of Winston Churchill, one of her predecessors.

"It's a great honor to have Winston Churchill back," Trump said. The bust had been moved from the Oval Office to another part of the White House when Barack Obama held the office.

May's visit, so soon after Trump's inauguration, has been criticized by her political opponents, and risks being overshadowed by the flood of announcements, plans and proposals coming out of the White House. On Thursday, May was repeatedly asked about Britain's stance on torture — the UK. has condemned it — after Trump said he thinks torturing terrorism suspects works.

If we can have a great relationship with Russia, and with China, and with all countries, I'm all for that. That will be a tremendous asset. No guarantee, but if we can, that will be a positive, not negative, says President Donald Trump in joint conference with visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May.