British Prime Minister Theresa May noted the long history of the close ties between the two countries. | Getty President-elect Trump invites British prime minister for a visit

President-elect Donald Trump has invited British Prime Minister Theresa May for a visit to the United States “as soon as possible,” according to a spokesperson for No. 10 Downing Street.

Trump spoke with May by phone on Thursday, the prime minister’s office said, and she congratulated him “on his hard-fought election campaign and victory.” The president-elect said he looked forward to working together, and expressed confidence “that the special relationship would go from strength to strength,” the spokesperson said.


May noted the long history of the close ties between the two countries, as well as their shared values, but also expressed a desire to bolster bilateral trade and investment with the United States in the wake of Britain’s moves to leave the European Union.

Trump, who owns several golf courses in Ireland and Scotland, described the U.K. as a “very, very special place for me and for our country.”

As a presidential candidate, Trump hailed British voters’ decision to exit the EU, calling himself “Mr. Brexit” for predicting that the referendum would succeed.

"Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise," May said in a statement issued after her phone call with Trump. "We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defence."

She added: "I look forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump, building on these ties to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead."