US ambassador: Trump might visit UK after Brexit

The Trump administration’s ambassador to the United Kingdom said Monday that President Trump could make a formal state visit to the longtime U.S. ally this summer, but British officials indicated no such plan was solidified.

Ambassador Woody Johnson said on BBC Radio that a state visit that coincided with the commemoration of the end of World War II in May “would be a good time,” but noted that the trip would have to be acceptable to “both sides,” The Guardian reported.

A spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Theresa May tempered expectations for the visit a short time later, telling The Guardian that no date has been set for a visit by Trump.

{mosads}”An invitation has been extended for that, and when we have further plans I’m sure we’ll let you know,” the spokeswoman said.

Trump previously visited the United Kingdom in July, though it was not a formal state visit. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in public spaces in London and elsewhere to protest his presence.

If confirmed, Trump’s visit during the summer would come after the United Kingdom departs the European Union. British lawmakers have been working for months on a Brexit deal after voters said in a 2016 referendum that they wanted to leave the continental body.

May postponed a vote earlier this month on a Brexit deal reached with the European Union after it became clear the measure would have failed. The prime minister must secure a deal ahead of the March 29 deadline for the United Kingdom to exit the EU.

Trump has been critical of May’s handling of Brexit negotiations.