'Brexit MEANS Brexit' May defiant at G20 summit as Obama DENIES ‘back of the queue’ threat
BARACK Obama praised Britain as a “strong” world partner as he admitted the economic partnership between the US and the UK will continue, despite previously saying Britain will be at the “back of the queue” after Brexit.
Theresa May and Barack Obama discussed Brexit at the Prime Minister's first G20 summit
The US President said he was “fully supportive” of post-Brexit trade negotiations and claimed he never suggested he would “punish” Britain for voting to quit the European Union.
The comments came at Theresa May’s first G20 press conference as the President attends the last summit of his eight-year term in the White House.
The President said he never suggested Britain would be 'punished' for leaving the EU
The vibrant economic partnership between our countries will continue
Obama also praised the Prime Minister as a “steadying influence” during a time of transition after the historic EU vote.
He said: "Even as the UK pursues an orderly exit from the EU, together we reaffirm the very special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.
The summit is Mrs May's first but Obama's last after his eight year term
"It will not simply endure, but it will continue to grow stronger with time.
"The vibrant economic partnership between our countries will continue, as the UK gains further clarity on its new relationship with the EU."
The Prime Minister will meet this afternoon with Russian president Vladimir Putin
But the President’s comments on Brexit fly in the face of remarks he made during a visit before the June 23 referendum.
He warned Britain would be sent to the “back of the queue” for trade negotiations if Britons voted to cut ties with the Brussels bloc.
She will also meet Chinese president Xi Jingping amid controversy over the Hinkley Point nuclear power station.
Mrs May sparked fury from Beijing after delaying the £18.5billion project – which will receive considerable financial help from Chinese nuclear giant China General Nuclear Power.