(VOVWORLD) - US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania are on a three-day official state visit to the UK at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II. Officials of both countries say that the visit affirms the US-UK special alliance while the public says that alliance has been at risk since Trump took office.
 Queen Elizabeth II hosts US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania at a state banquet. (photo: Getty Images)
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President Trump is scheduled to have a private lunch with Queen Elizabeth, an afternoon tea with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. He will meet Prime Minister Theresa May, who will resign on June 7. Trump and his wife will attend a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings when allied troops attacked German-held France in World War II.
Statements displease British officials
Trump’s visit is unwelcomed by many British officials. Prior to the visit, Trump said he supports Britain leaving the EU without a deal and Britain should refuse to pay the “divorce” bill which Britain and the EU agreed on last year. Trump says former foreign minister Boris Johnson would be an "excellent" replacement for May. Johnson, one of the frontrunners, is one of those who say Britain should leave the EU on October 31 with or without a deal.
The US’s tense relations with China and its sanctions on Huawei Technologies will be discussed with British officials. Analysts say when he meets with Prime Minister May, Trump will pressure her not to allow Huawei to build any part of the UK’s next generation 5G communication network. In an interview last week in the Sunday Times, Trump said Britain should carefully consider national security issues.
Some British officials say the US President is meddling in Britain’s internal affairs. London Mayor Sadiq Khan called Trump "one of the most egregious examples of a growing global threat," in an article published in the Observer newspaper on Sunday. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn called Trump’s statements an unacceptable intervention in Britain’s internal affairs and said he will not attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace. Leaders of other opposition parties have had similar reactions. Trump will not address the UK Parliament because of strong MP opposition.
No breakthrough agreements
A few minutes before his plane landed at Stansted Airport in London, Trumped tweeted that he looked forward to be a great friend to the UK and looked forward to his visit. Before the visit, Prime Minister May said it will be an important week in the UK-US special relationship and an opportunity to enhance their partnership. President Trump said he hopes to announce a big trade deal in the near future.