Theresa May and Donald Trump emphasise the strength of the “special relationship” after first meeting Donald Trump and Theresa May emphasised the strength of the “special relationship” between the US and the UK during a joint news conference in Washington DC on Friday – and appeared to brush aside the many issues they disagree on. – The Independent Trump said: “I think Brexit’s going to be a wonderful thing for your country. You’re going to have your own identity, you’re going to have the people that you want in your country and you’re going to have free trade without having someone watching you and what you’re doing. I think it will end up being a fantastic thing for the United Kingdom and it will be a tremendous asset for the United Kingdom.” – PoliticsHome Donald Trump beamed with delight yesterday as Theresa May announced that he is to pay a state visit to Britain. In a joint press conference noted for the obvious personal warmth between the leaders, she said she had extended an invitation from the Queen which he had accepted. As she announced the invitation a clearly enchanted president, who has spoken affectionately of his mother’s love for the Queen, nodded and smiled his approval. – The Times (£) Professor Ted Malloch, currently the top contender to be named President Trump’s top diplomat in Brussels, revealed Mrs May’s address had been awarded “high marks”. He told Express.co.uk: “She talked about renewal of the special relationship. She really stepped out on a right foot. “The reviews in American papers are, frankly, generally all very positive.” He contrasted this with the “frosty” relationship between President Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. – Daily Express Key issues: what they said – The Times (£) Mr Trump assures the PM he is committed to NATO but they disagree on whether sanctions against Russia should be lifted – Sky News Theresa May warns Donald Trump Britain will stop sharing crucial intelligence with the US if he brings back torture – The Sun Donald Trump faces awkward question at Theresa May press conference – International Business Times Somehow the odd couple of Theresa May and Donald Trump need to find a way to work together – Kwasi Kwarteng for the Evening Standard If Theresa May is changing our foreign policy to secure a US trade deal, it had better be worth it – Fraser Nelson for the Daily Telegraph (£) Theresa May walks the tightrope with Donald Trump, so far – Stephen Bush for the New Statesman The Atlantic alliance has been renewed and revived – Daily Telegraph View Special relationship between Theresa May and Donald Trump has put cynics in their place – The Sun Says Watch the Trump/May press conference in full – Guido Fawkes Theresa May flying in to Turkey to discuss fresh trade deal with Erdogan The Prime Minister was flying direct to Ankara, the Turkish capital, following her meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. Downing Street sources said Mrs May was expected to begin discussing “a new trade relationship” with Turkey following Britain’s withdrawal from the EU. It means Turkey joins 13 other countries that have begun working on new trade deals with the UK ahead of the expected departure from the bloc in 2019. The two governments have already agreed to establish a joint working group to begin preparations for a new trade deal. – Daily Express Theresa May to focus on trade not human rights abuses when she visits Turkey – Daily Mirror Labour MP Jo Stevens quits shadow cabinet over Article 50 vote The shadow secretary for Wales, Jo Stevens, has resigned from her post, saying she could not reconcile herself to voting to trigger article 50 as she still believed leaving the EU would be “a terrible mistake”….The MP said she accepted the referendum result and recognised that she could not block the passage of the EU withdrawal bill and that exiting the EU was inevitable. “But I believe that leaving is a terrible mistake and I cannot reconcile my overwhelming view that to endorse the step that will make exit inevitable is wrong,” she wrote. – The Guardian Labour frontbencher Daniel Zeichner to defy Corbyn and vote against Article 50 – Daily Express I’ve quit as shadow minister over article 50 to follow the true will of my people – Tulip Siddiq MP for The Guardian I won’t capitulate to the Tories on Brexit and neither should Labour MPs – Green MP Caroline Lucas for Prospect Jeremy Corbyn faces more resignations, but even Blairites think he is right about Brexit – John Rentoul for The Independent Let’s use Brexit to “buy British” says deputy leader Tom Watson – Labour List European Parliament’s Brexit negotiator says May’s promised trade deal by 2019 is ‘impossible’ May told MPs she would “deliver” an agreement by Brexit, to avoid inflicting punishing World Trade Organisation tariffs on businesses…But Mr Verhofstadt, a senior MEP and former Belgian Prime Minister, dismissed the prospect, in an interview with Al Jazeera English. “That’s technically impossible,” he said, referring to the suggested two-year timeline. EU leaders have insisted Britain must first agree to a suggested £50bn “divorce bill” – a payment for outstanding liabilities – under the terms of the Article 50 exit clause. This year’s elections in both France and Germany are also expected to slow the Prime Minister’s hopes to start trade talks – which normally take many years to complete, regardless. Although the European Commission will lead the talks from the Brussels side, the European Parliament must also ratify any agreement. – The Independent EU Brexit chief offers Britain ‘fast track’ if it wants to rejoin Brussels – Daily Express European Parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt vows he will not ‘go soft’ over Britain’s exit plans – The Sun John Longworth: Stop complaining about Brexit – the economic benefits will be huge We should aim to remove tariffs, either unilaterally or through free trade negotiations, thus reducing the cost of food by up to 40%, and the cost of clothing and footwear by up to 20%. With a reduction in other input tariffs, this would be an enormous boost for those “just about managing”. It will free up consumer spending, helping inflation and the economy at large. We should compensate business for any tariffs erected through the tax regime, at a cost of less than half of our EU net contribution, and we should have signature-ready trade deals and a deregulation programme prepared for Brexit day. This is work that must start now. – John Longworth in The Guardian Emily Redding: What’s the point of a UK-US trade deal if UK companies won’t export? The lack of exporting appetite has been an issue grappled with by UK trade ministers for years. A new trade deal could help with the rhetoric of Britain finding a new role in global trade, but its real impact on UK exports remains in serious doubt. The fundamental obstacles making UK companies reluctant to export are not going to be improved by whatever promises May can extract from Trump in the Oval Office. Instead, more hard work is needed to support companies, provide the export finance, and reduce the more pervasive barriers often found in regulation and hidden behind tariffs. – Emily Redding for Reaction Tom Mctague: Theresa May’s big sell “Was she a salesman before going into politics?” one impressed American TV reporter asked assembled British hacks after listening to Theresa May’s speech at the Marriott conference centre in downtown Philadelphia yesterday. Nope, she’s only ever worked in finance and politics came the reply. But it was an astute observation. – Tom Mctague for Politico Brexit comment in brief Tesco’s Booker bet on Brexit Britain – Allister Heath for the Daily Telegraph (£) May must champion the citizens of the world – Matthew Parris for The Times (£) Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan on what Britain should do next – Henry Mance interviews Daniel Hannan for the FT (£) Brexit is changing Parliament for the better – Douglas Carswell for his blog Is Brexit an opportunity to reform the European Parliament? – Robert Kalcik and Guntram B. Wolff for Breugel Why Britain should fight to remain part of Erasmus post-Brexit – Julie Ward MEP for Left Foot Forward Brexit news in brief Remainer Oliver Letwin says we can’t insult the British people by blocking Brexit – Talk Radio Britain should relax migration rules to recruit more science, Mandarin and computer science teachers to the UK, report urges – The Sun Fewer Britons living in EU than previously thought – The Guardian Inquiry looks at Brexit impact on devolved regions – ITV Dublin might have to opt for ‘Irexit’ and quit EU, says Irish diplomat – News Letter British MEPs cling to top jobs – Politico Brussels bank capital plan criticised by Bank of England – Daily Telegraph Pharmaceutical firms claim quitting EU regulator ‘would leave UK waiting longer’ for new drugs – The Guardian Spaceport plans delayed by Brexit – BBC Graham Norton isn’t worried about the ‘Brexit effect’ on Eurovision – Metro