All eyes on Donald Trump meeting as Theresa May arrives in Davos
The Prime Minister will hold talks with the US President in Switzerland after a bumpy few months for the "special relationship".
Thursday 25 January 2018 15:34, UK
Theresa May doesn't much like "citizens of nowhere".
In 2016, the Prime Minister branded them as "the sort of people who have more in common with international elites" than with the people "they pass in the street".
Not her type, apparently.
But, on Wednesday night, Mrs May landed in Davos to rub shoulders with the global elite she purports to disdain.
The annual World Economic Forum gathering at the Swiss Alpine resort attracts global leaders, billionaire businessmen and corporate financiers.
A political powerhouse of attendees including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
From business, the chief executives of the world's biggest companies: Microsoft, Alibaba and Google.
Mrs May, swapping her trademark kitten heels for a £120 pair of Sorel snow boots, will - like other global leaders - deliver a keynote speech.
Hers will be on Thursday afternoon, continuing her crusade for social media companies to play their part in stamping out online extremism.
But, the talking point around Mrs May will not be what happens in her setpiece address, but what happens on the sidelines between her and Mr Trump.
There was a question over whether the two leaders would even meet in Davos, after the US President scrapped a visit to open the new American embassy in London.
Mr Trump blamed it on the new building being off location (moving from Mayfair to Vauxhall) and too expensive - a "bad deal", he claimed.
But it raised suspicion that the "special relationship" was under strain: a trip to London ditched on the heels of a very public falling out between the two leaders last November, after Mrs May criticised Mr Trump for retweeting propaganda videos from far-right group Britain First.
A chance then to clear the air after a bumpy few months, with the two leaders expected to focus on areas where there is common ground in international affairs: North Korea, as well as eradicating Islamic State in Syria and northern Iraq.
They might touch on Iran. But the thornier issue of Russian aggression in Europe is less likely to be raised as the Prime Minister seeks to soothe relations and not stoke further tensions.
She is still hoping for a swift post-Brexit trade deal.
And what of that Trump trip to the UK?
The US President has accepted an invitation for a state visit, but no date has been confirmed amid the expectation there will be widespread protests on the streets.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has forcefully voiced his opposition to the red carpet being rolled out for Mr Trump in the capital.
And more than 1.86 million people signed a petition against Mr Trump's state visit.
Of course, one big event in 2018 where he would be received by cheering crowds is the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
A trip to Windsor Castle for a Royal wedding is an American fairy tale that would no doubt delight Mr Trump.
But Prince Harry is closer to the former White House incumbent Barack Obama than the current president.
And adding the Trumps to the guestlist is not in Mrs May's interest.
It could prove a diplomatic incident not of her making, but damage her all the same.