Unic Press UK: United States president Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit to the United Kingdom, blaming his predecessor Barack Obama.
In a tweet, Trump said:
“Reason I canceled my trip to London is that I am not a big fan of the Obama Administration having sold perhaps the best located and finest embassy in London for “peanuts,” only to build a new one in an off location for 1.2 billion dollars. Bad deal. Wanted me to cut ribbon-NO!” (Trump: 12th Jan 2018)
Reason I canceled my trip to London is that I am not a big fan of the Obama Administration having sold perhaps the best located and finest embassy in London for “peanuts,” only to build a new one in an off location for 1.2 billion dollars. Bad deal. Wanted me to cut ribbon-NO!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
Trump was wrong to have blamed the former president, Barack Obama, because the decision to relocate the U.S. embassy predated the Obama administration.
On 2 October, 2008 the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in The United Kingdom said:
“Meeting the challenge of providing a modern, open and secure American diplomatic facility in London, the U.S. State Department today signed a conditional agreement with the real estate developer Ballymore to acquire a site in the Nine Elms Opportunity Area in Wandsworth for the construction of a new Embassy. This has been a long and careful process,” said Ambassador Robert Tuttle, who has led the search for a new site. We looked at all our options, including renovation of our current building on Grosvenor Square. In the end, we realized that the goal of a modern, secure and environmentally sustainable Embassy could best be met by constructing a new facility. I’m excited about America playing a role in the regeneration of the South Bank of London. A design competition will ensure the new facility reflects the best of modern design, incorporates the latest in energy-efficient building techniques, and celebrates the values of freedom and democracy.” (https://uk.usembassy.gov/u-s-takes-first-steps-toward-embassy-relocation/)
