If elected president, Donald Trump said Friday he would strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and the United Kingdom now that Britain has voted to leave the European Union.
“A Trump Administration pledges to strengthen our ties with a free and independent Britain, deepening our bonds in commerce, culture and mutual defense,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said in a statement Friday morning, hours after the results of the Brexit referendum were announced.
“The whole world is more peaceful and stable when our two countries – and our two peoples – are united together, as they will be under a Trump Administration,” he added.
Trump previously criticized the EU over Europe’s migrant crisis, telling Fox News last month that “migration has been a horrible thing for Europe [and] a lot of that was pushed by the EU.”
“I would say that they’re better off without it, personally, but I’m not making that as a recommendation. Just my feeling,” he said, when asked whether Britain should ditch the EU.
“I think it’s a great thing that’s happened. It’s an amazing vote, very historic,” Trump said Friday, during a press conference at his Turnberry golf course in Scotland. “People are angry all over the world. They’re angry over borders, they’re angry over people coming into the country and taking over and nobody even knows who they are.”
The billionaire later compared the Brexit vote to the November election, suggesting the choice between himself or Hillary Clinton gives Americans “the chance to re-declare their independence.”
“Americans will have a chance to vote for trade, immigration and foreign policies that put our citizens first,” Trump said. “They will have the chance to reject today’s rule by the global elite, and to embrace real change that delivers a government of, by and for the people. I hope America is watching, it will soon be time to believe in America again.”
