There is much fascination about Theresa May’s visit this week to meet President Donald Trump. In many respects it is hard to think of two more different personalities. The British prime minister’s most prominent characteristics are her caution and her reticence. I don’t think one could say the same for Trump.
Both have managed to infuriate much of the media. For Trump this has been achieved by lambasting journalists in the most constant and energetic manner. May has done something much more hurtful – which is to ignore them. Until her speech last week there were months of exasperation at her refusal to set out even the most general plans as to what Brexit would involve. “Brexit means Brexit,” the Prime Minister kept repeating. Reporters insisted this wasn’t good enough with ever
greater impatience – after all they had front pages and airtime to fill. Theresa May didn’t care.
By contrast Trump has become his own one man rapid rebuttal unit – with tweets going off at three in the morning. The rush has left him often insulting those he may later rely on as allies. Impetuous policy demands such as his notorious announcement that Muslims should be banned temporarily from entering the United States have then had to be abandoned. There has also been all the mud wrestling over “fake news” – which the President has been robust in denouncing but on occasion has found himself caught out purveying. Critics of Theresa May often accuse her of dullness. Some of Trump’s critics would love to have that as the worst charge they could find against him.
Then there is the issue of women’s rights. Trump was caught on film in 2005 indulging in “locker room banter” about being able to “grab woman by the pussy”. Theresa May is a former Minister for Women & Equalities and has described herself as a feminist. She once said: “Some people don’t like the term ‘feminist’ because they think it portrays a certain type of woman. To me, it’s about ensuring there’s a level playing field and equal opportunity.” She has even (literally) got the T-shirt – provided by the Fawcett Society with the slogan “This is what a feminist looks like.” I wonder if she will wear it for her meeting with the President…
There is a similarity between them which might also make for difficulties. Both are strong leaders. May found her path to Downing Street eased when Ken Clarke was caught complaining that she is a “bloody difficult woman”. These two leaders both pride themselves on being tough negotiators. But will it lead to gridlock?
For all this I predict the so-called special relationship will flourish through the Trump/May era – as it will have to. Some of Trump’s utterances suggest he is sceptical about free trade and globalisation – at least as it applies under certain of the current arrangements. But he couldn’t have been more clear in recognising that a UK/USA free trade deal would be mutually beneficial to both nations and should be concluded as soon as possible. When it comes to international security – including, of course, the defeat of Islamist terrorism – they will also both be conscious that an effective partnership is imperative.
The personal chemistry is one thing but really they will judge it on seeing each undertaking delivered. Bill Clinton and Tony Blair were two peas in a pod – but Blair struggled to persuade Clinton to take much interest in the conflict in Kosovo.
So I doubt there will be much larking about between Trump and May. Not too much in the way of light hearted gossip or cheery recounting of anecdotes. But they will be businesslike and candid meetings of two individuals with a deep shared interest in success. The rest of the world will be hoping it goes well too.