- May and Trump had been expected to meet at the World Economic Forum
- But the pair may not both be in Davos for long enough to schedule any talks
- Meeting had been seen as an opportunity to patch up frosty UK-US relations
Theresa May and Donald Trump could miss a chance to patch up their relationship in Davos next week, it emerged today.
The Prime Minister and President may only both be at the World Economic Forum for a few hours and aides have today finding a slot for talks was proving difficult.
Bloomberg said a ‘brief conversation’ might still be staged while the pair are in Switzerland but that nothing is confirmed.
Downing Street was left surprised by Mr Trump last week cancelling a planned visit to London to open the new US embassy.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson claimed today the cancellation was because Mr Trump knew Mrs May was busy with Brexit.
Theresa May and Donald Trump (pictured together last May) could miss a chance to patch up their relationship in Davos next week, it emerged today
He told reporters today: ‘As you know, President Trump was supportive of the U.K.’s exit from the EU, he still thinks that was the right decision for them.
‘Britain needs to focus on those Brexit negotiations right now, which is really important to them, and I think the president realizes that’s where Prime Minister May really needs to focus her attention.’
Mr Tillerson is thought likely to make the trip to Britain himself to open the new US embassy.
Mr Trump blamed his dislike of the new £750million building for cancelling the visit – but he is widely thought to have been put off by the prospect of huge protests in the capital.
There are also reports he was unhappy with the scale of the reception being proposed, even though he was due to meet the Queen.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (pictured in California yesterday) claimed today the cancellation was because Mr Trump knew Mrs May was busy with Brexit
Downing Street has so far refused to confirm any details of Mrs May’s visit to Davos next week.
The encounter was supposed to be an opportunity for Mrs May to defuse tensions.
She has not met with Mr Trump since a public spat over him re-tweeting videos from the far right Britain First.
And she also clashed with the President over his decision to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
The frosty relations are in stark contrast to scenes 12 months ago when Mrs May rushed to Washington to be one of the first foreign leaders to visit Mr Trump in the White House.
Downing Street was left surprised by Mr Trump last week cancelling a planned visit to London to open the new US embassy (pictured)