British Prime Minister Theresa May touted the “unique and special relationship” between the U.S. and the U.K. during a speech in Philadelphia on Thursday, comparing Britain’s recent decision to leave the European Union to President Trump’s victory in the election.
“We have chosen a different future for our country,” May said at the GOP’s annual gathering. “A future that sees us take back control fo the things that matter to us.”
May cited “immigration” and border security as some of the top values that would be protected by the U.K.’s decision to leave the EU.
One day ahead of her meeting with Trump in Washington, May praised Trump for his electoral victory, which she said he “achieved in defiance of all the pundits and the polls.”
“As we rediscover our confidence together…we have the opportunity, indeed, the responsibility to renew the special relationship for this new age,” she said.
The British prime minister discussed the importance of joining with the U.S. to combat Islamic terrorism, arguing the U.S. and the U.K. cannot “step back” and allow others to “step up” on the international stage.
“One of the lessons of fighting terrorism in the last 15 years or so is, yes, killing terrorists can save innocent lives, but until we kill the ideas that drive them, the ideology, we will always live with this threat,” she said.
May also cautioned against associating peaceful Muslims with violent extremists.
In a departure from proposals put forward by Trump, May spoke about preserving the use of multinational institutions, which Trump has criticized.
“We must turn toward these multinational institutions like the UN and NATO,” May said, adding that the United Nations is “vital still.”
But she noted the president’s desire to change the way those institutions operate, saying she agreed with the concept.
“I share your reform agenda, and believe that by working together, we can make those institutions more relevant and purposeful than they are today,” May said.
The British leader also echoed Trump’s call to compel NATO members to spend 2 percent of its GDP on its military, a provision meant to ensure countries in the alliance are prepared and able to defend their allies if called upon to do so.
May touted her country’s plans to increase spending on its military, citing the fact that Britain had met its NATO commitment to spend 2 percent of its GDP on the military.
She expressed her hope that Trump would work with her to strengthen the U.S.-U.K. relationship and their cooperation on achieving trade and military goals.
“Time and again, it is the relationship between us that has defined the modern world,” May said.
