US President Donald Trump has said he believes Britain can have a “very very substantial trade deal” with the US after it leaves the EU.
Mr Trump told Theresa May to “stick around” during a meeting with business leaders on day two of his state visit.
The pair are now meeting at No 10, with contentious issues such as doing business with Huawei on the agenda.
Protesters have gathered in nearby Parliament Square, with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn due to speak shortly.
During a breakfast meeting at St James’s Palace earlier today, Mr Trump said he believed there was scope for further expansion of trade between the US and the UK.
“I think we will have a very, very substantial trade deal,” he told Mrs May.
“This is something you want to do and my folks want to do,” he added. “Stick around. Let’s do this deal.”
The meeting of five British and five American firms, senior ministers and officials was held in a bid to boost trade links.
Mrs May said there were “huge opportunities” for Britain and the US to work together in the future.
“It is a great partnership but I think a partnership we can take even further,” she told the president, adding: “Of course that is with a good bilateral trade deal.”
Mr Trump and the first lady were taken to Downing Street in a limousine known as the Beast. Reuters
The US president is set to hold talks with Conservative leadership hopeful Michael Gove, according to sources close to the environment secretary.
Mr Trump praised Mr Gove’s leadership rival Boris Johnson ahead of his visit to the UK.
A source close to Mr Gove told the Press Association “nothing has been fixed yet” but added: “Mr Gove was asked last night by Mr Trump’s team if he would be able to meet the president today. He said yes.”
Thousands of people are expected to join protests against Mr Trump’s visit on Tuesday.
A “national demonstration” in London’s Trafalgar Square began at 11:00 BST (06:00 Eastern Time), while protests are also planned in Birmingham, Stoke, Sheffield, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Chester, Leicester, Oxford and Exeter.
The Metropolitan Police said 3,182 officers have been deployed to police the president’s visit on Tuesday and to “ensure the safety and security of the public”.
Protesters against the presidential visit have launched a Trump baby blimp on Parliament Square.
EPA/ANDY RAIN
Day one of Mr Trump’s visit culminated in a glittering state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
PRESS ASSOCIATION
Mr Trump and Mrs May held a meeting with business leaders on Tuesday morning.
REUTERS
A 16ft (5m) tall model of Mr Trump sat on a golden toilet was installed in Trafalgar Square in preparation for the protests.PA
In Parliament Square, protestors started the day by inflating a giant balloon depicting Mr Trump as a baby. Organised protests against the visit are expected to start in Trafalgar Square and Whitehall later in the day. Reuters
BBC
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