The White House said Wednesday that President Obama will travel next month to Britain and Saudi Arabia, two allies still smarting from the president’s undiplomatic criticisms in a recent interview.
Mr. Obama, who referred to the Saudis as “free riders” who don’t contribute enough to Middle East stability, will visit the Kingdom on April 21and participate in a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The gathering will be hosted by Saudi King Salman and will focus on steps to intensify pressure on the Islamic State.
Mr. Obama then will travel to the United Kingdom for a meeting and press conference with Prime Minister David Cameron, whom the president criticized for becoming “distracted” during the 2011 military campaign in Libya. He also said in the interview published in the Atlantic that Britain and the U.S. might lose their “special relationship” if the U.K. didn’t devote more money to defense.
The British also are wary of Mr. Obama interfering in their June referendum on whether to remain in the European Union; the president is urging Britain to stay in the bloc.
During the visit, the president also will have a private lunch with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Palace.
The White House said the visit “will allow the president to offer his gratitude to the British government and people for their stalwart partnership with his administration and the American people throughout his presidency.”
Mr. Obama will conclude his trip with a previously announced visit to Germany, where he’ll attend the world’s largest trade show and meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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