Sputnik talked about US-UK relations with Inderjeet Parmar, Professor Of International Politics at City University London.
SPUTNIK: So, first of all, how do you feel Trump's visit is going to go down with the UK public?
Parmar: Well, it's quite clear that Britain is divided. But there's a very large amount of opposition to the visit.. the fact that it's a state, as opposed to an ordinary working one.
And I think, you know, it's quite clear from statements by many people from across the political parties, the opposition political parties, such as the mayor of London, and then the big demonstrations, which I think have been organised for today, and tomorrow, particularly in London and elsewhere, that there's going to be a great deal of opposition to President Trump and the kind of politics and version of American identity that he stands for.
SPUTNIK: There was a letter signed by 250 academics from universities around the UK, that encouraged Theresa May to speak up about climate change with Trump. Do you think that's something that Theresa May wants to do? Or do you think that's something Trump could even take seriously, from a PM on her way out?
Parmar: President Trump doesn't care about climate change, he challenges the idea of climate science. He's put in charge of the different scientific agencies, and Environmental Protection Agency, people who actually reject the whole idea of climate change and climate science.
So I can't see it making any kind of difference at all, the only thing one could do is kind of basically support those who oppose his stance back home in the United States, and to kind of further undermine his position if you'd like.
READ MORE: Trump Compares Sadiq Khan to 'Dumb and Incompetent' NYC Mayor de Blasio
SPUTNIK: Trump's already made waves over the weekend with his comments about Boris Johnson to be the next Prime Minister of the UK and some verbal attacks at Sadiq Khan. Do you think this is helpful for US-UK relations?
Parmar: Well, I mean, the issue is that President Trump has a particular sort of political stance. He's on the 'extreme hard right' of American politics and world politics. He sees himself as a sort of a very powerful leader who is putting his own country first and claiming to do that, and I don't think he particularly cares that people who are liberal, or centre left, or even on the right are critical of him.
And he's the kind of saviour of the United States. So I think he welcomes a kind of rancorous, political environment because he is he's probably better equipped to use the kind of language in rough politics and many of the others.
SPUTNIK: Okay, and while a lot of people here in the UK may not have a great fondness for Trump, do you think there's an argument to be made for pragmatism and that we should respect the special relationship between the UK and the US even if we are not best pleased with the President?
And after the war, they champion the making of the, of the post war liberal international system. So their economy, their financial systems, their military, their intelligence systems, and so on are all interpenetrated and interlocked, so Britain can't pretend that the United States doesn't exist doesn't really comprehend the EU doesn't exist.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik.
