Donald Trump calls it false rumour that he and British PM Theresa May don't get along

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Trump and May shake hands during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. PHOTO: AFP

DAVOS, Switzerland (BLOOMBERG) - President Donald Trump said in a meeting on Thursday (Jan 25) with British Prime Minister Theresa May that the two leaders have a great relationship, dismissing as a "false rumour" reports that they have clashed.

"There was a little bit of a false rumor out there, I just wanted to correct it," Trump said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"We love your country. We have the same ideals and there's nothing that would happen to you that we wouldn't be there to fight for you."

Trump's reiteration of what's known as the "special relationship" between the US and Britain may help May thaw her frosty relationship with the president.

Relations with Britain, one of America's oldest and closest allies, have been tested over the past year with arguments over anti-terror measures, intelligence leaks and Trump's social media clashes with the mayor of London.

May said the countries "continue to have that really special relationship between the UK and the United States, standing shoulder to shoulder because we're facing the same challenges across the world and as you say we're working together to defeat those challenges."

She was seen leaving the meeting after about 45 minutes.

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US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday in Davos, before Trump's arrival, that the countries still enjoy a special economic relationship, and that the US is ready to quickly negotiate a trade deal with Britain as it withdraws from the EU.

Trump promised a "tremendous increase" in trade between the countries.

May delivered an invitation for Trump to visit Britain early in his presidency, but a date has yet to be set.

Earlier this month, Trump said on Twitter that he "cancelled" a visit to London to formally open the new US embassy because the old site had been sold for "peanuts" and he didn't like the choice of the new location.

Trump didn't say when the state visit would be rescheduled.

"We will talk about it," he said.

He didn't respond to a question about the Britain First tweet.

Trump also drew fire from political leaders in Britain in November after re-tweeting propaganda by a fringe far-right British political group.

Trump even admonished May for condemning his retweets of the group, saying she should "focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom."

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