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The US President was speaking in Washington during a joint press conference with the Spanish Prime Minster Mariano Rajoy. Mr Trump said: “Spain is a great, great country and it should remain united. “It’s actually been unfolding for centuries and I think that nobody knows if they are going to have a vote.” But the US President became more ambiguous hinting the Catalans would not stand for their referendum vote to be blocked.

EPA Donald Trump (L) and Mariano Rajoy

He said: “The Spanish President would say they are not going to have a vote but I think the people would be opposed to that. “I can only say for myself, I would like to see Spain remain united.” Mr Trump also cast doubt on the latest polling data that predicted a ‘yes’ vote for independence would win. He said: "I really think the people of Catalonia would stay with Spain. I think it would be foolish not to." Mr Trump said: "I'm just for a united Spain,” who cast doubt on polling data predicting a 'yes' vote for independence will win. ”I really think the people of Catalonia would stay with Spain. I think it would be foolish not to."

Spain crisis: Protest outside the Catalan High Court Fri, September 22, 2017 Pro-Independence Associations called for a meeting in front of the Catalan High Court building demanding release of the 14 officials arrested yesterday during a Spanish Police operation in an attempt to stop the region's independence referendum, due to take place on October 1, which has been deemed illegal by the Spanish government in Madrid Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 8 People demonstrate in front of the Catalan High Court building

Mr Rajoy, 62, the leader of the conservative People’s Party (PP) said the issue of the Catalan referendum is creating tensions within the country and would like it to be resolved as soon as possible. He dismissed the referendum vote as “nonsense”. Mr Rajoy added despite the crisis in Spain he was not thinking at all about calling early elections in the country if Catalonia voted to leave Spain. He said: "It is not on my horizon to bring forward the elections whatever the result of this we are talking about.” At the start of the press conference Mr Trump described the talks as "very productive" and emphasised the historical links between the US and Spain, which he described as "close allies" and "great friends,” pointing out that Spain is the tenth largest investor in the US.

Reuters US President Donald Turmp

Mr Rajoy also stressed the "excellent relations" between the US and Spain and has vowed to have closer economic ties. In addition, both leaders also expressed their united front in the fight against jihadist terrorism and the need to isolate the regimes of North Korea and Venezuela. At the first meeting held in the White House, the two leaders held a working lunch where they discussed the bilateral issues and Mr Rajoy emphasised the referendum would not take place.

EPA Madrid Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy faces the press in Washington