US President Donald Trump met British Prime Minister Theresa May in his first summit with a foreign leader since inauguration. He hailed Brexit and said that it would give the UK its "own identity".
May was greeted in person by Trump when she arrived at the White House and the two leaders then met at the Oval Office.
At a joint press conference, Trump reiterated his support for Britain's decision to leave the European Union, saying, "A free and independent Britain is a blessing to the world and our relationship has never been stronger."
Both leaders said they would work to strengthen US and the UK's commercial ties. The British Prime Minister hoped that a swift trade deal with Washington will mitigate the effects of Brexit.
May said Trump had accepted an invitation to make a state visit to Britain later this year. She said the US-UK defence relationship is the deepest of any two countries. May said a trade deal between the two countries was in the national interests of both.
During the press meet, Trump also spoke on controversial topics like the use of torture as he reiterated his support for harsh interrogation techniques but said he will defer to his Pentagon chief, who opposes their use.
Trump played down speculation that he is about to lift sanctions on Russia. May said Britain believes sanctions should continue until Russia upholds its commitments of the international Minsk Agreement. May also said that Trump vowed '100 percent' support for NATO.
The meeting was being watched with global interest as the two countries seek to find common ground on trade and lay the groundwork for a new deal following last year's Brexit vote in favour of the UK to leave the European Union.
It was also Trump's first tryst with face-to-face diplomacy as he welcomed his first foreign visitor to the White House.
Ahead of the meeting with Trump, May, while speaking at the Republican Retreat in Philadelphia, said with the emergence of non-state actors, it is time that the countries like the US and Britain assert their leadership role.
May said that Britain and the US must "lead together" again and play their role in safeguarding global security even as she welcomed the rise of democratic allies like India.
