However in a significant U-turn since calling on the federal government to ban the US president’s 2019 UK state go to, when he was requested if Mr Trump can be welcome this time, he declared: “Absolutely!”
Previously, the mayor has denounced the president as “ignorant” on Islam, “racist”, “sexist”, “a homophobe” and likened his ways to “the fascists of the 20th century”.
Requested if he nonetheless held these views, he stated: “President Trump has pretty and squarely gained a second time period. Let’s decide President Trump on what he does to his second time period slightly than what he did in his first time period.
“My job as the mayor of this great city is to stand up for our values, stand up for our businesses, stand up for our people. And that does mean sometimes saying boo to a goose.”
And Sir Sadiq did criticise new US vice chairman JD Vance for claiming in a Valentine’s Day speech on the Munich Safety Convention that free speech was in retreat within the UK and Europe.
“We had a situation a couple of days ago where it was said in words to the effect that the biggest threat facing our country and our continent is a lack of freedom of speech,” stated the mayor.
“Woe betide me being criticised for exercising my freedom of speech. Contrary to what JD Vance might think, we have freedom of speech in this country.”
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6:48
JD Vance criticises UK and Europe
Sir Sadiq was additionally essential of the president’s risk of “trade wars and tariffs”, suggesting they might injury American corporations doing enterprise in London and the UK.
“London is the number one city of choice for foreign direct investment for many businesses across the globe,” he stated.
“We’ve got many great American companies invested in London, whether it’s in culture – Netflix and many other studios have opened recently in this great city of ours – financial institutions, legal and others currently invested in London.
“We do nice enterprise with the USA when it comes to companies and items. I need it to hold on. A problem with tariffs and commerce wars is that there are extra individuals who lose out from these than win from these.”
On one other Trump state go to, which the president is understood to need, the mayor stated: “I’d like President Trump to come to London so he can see some of the misunderstandings he has of our city.
“So he can see there isn’t any risk to freedom of speech on this nice metropolis of ours. So he can see that really Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs do not simply tolerate one another, we respect, rejoice and embrace one another.
“So he can see for himself the fact that diversity is a strength, not a weakness. He can see for himself that many people in this great city of ours and country of ours love America, love American culture, indeed in the past have loved American politics and are looking forward to working closely with him going forward.”
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4:13
PM to fulfill Trump subsequent week
Sir Sadiq additionally appeared to strike a much less hostile tone in his opposition to Heathrow growth, after beforehand threatening a authorized problem in opposition to a 3rd runway.
“I’m a pro-growth mayor,” he stated. “I’m a pro-business mayor, as evidenced by the policies of the last eight years. I want a better Heathrow, not a bigger Heathrow.
“If Heathrow can give you plans that handle points round noise, round air, round local weather change, that pays for the underground M25, re-routing the A4, enhancements to Southern Rail, enhancements on the Piccadilly line, enhancements on the Elizabeth line, we’ll have a look at them.
“Let’s see what Heathrow’s plans are. What the Climate Change Committee – well respected – has said [is] that any expansion of aviation must abide with our climate change commitments. Let’s wait and see what Heathrow come up with.”
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0:57
‘Heathrow third runway prepared for 2035’
Denying this was a change in his place, he added: “Not at all. I’m quite clear in relation to standing up for London, but also standing up for our environment, for air quality, for noise pollution and for Londoners.
“And it is actually necessary to attend for Heathrow to have their plans earlier than I launch a authorized problem in opposition to hypotheticals.”
