There may not have been a handshake, a photograph, or even a publicly scheduled appointment, but President Trump got his meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson — despite concerns his presence could disrupt next week’s U.K. election.
They met one-on-one during a reception hosted by Johnson at Number 10 on Tuesday evening.
In contrast, earlier in the day, Trump, 73, held bilateral meetings with Emmanuel Macron, of France, and Justin Trudeau, of Canada, complete with cameras and journalists.
“Enjoyed my meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom at 10 Downing Street last night. Talked about numerous subjects including NATO and Trade,” the president said on Twitter.
Senior Conservatives have been anxious that his unscripted appearances and close relationship with the prime minister could provide ammunition for opposition parties.
Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, accused Johnson and Trump of plotting to sell off the country’s health service as part of a free-trade deal after Brexit.
So far, Trump has largely pleased his hosts by denying any interest in such a move.
“If you handed it to us on a silver platter, we want nothing to do with it,” he said on Tuesday, a line that led several Conservative-leaning newspapers on Wednesday morning.
Even so, Johnson, 55, and Trump appeared to remain at arm’s length for much of the president’s visit to London.
Enjoyed my meeting with Prime Minister @BorisJohnson of the United Kingdom at @10DowningStreet last night. Talked about numerous subjects including @NATO and Trade.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2019
It led to a will-they, won’t-they atmosphere around events connected to a major NATO meeting.
Their moment came at a reception on Tuesday night, when Johnson hosted all 28 leaders visiting London for the meeting.
The two were able to share a few private minutes.
A Number 10 spokesman said: “The leaders welcomed the recent increases in defense spending by NATO member states and agreed on the need for the Alliance to be unified in the face of new and evolving threats.
“The Prime Minister also updated the President on this afternoon’s meeting between France, Germany, Turkey and the UK to discuss the situation in Syria.”
