Jeremy Hunt has praised Donald Trump's economic record and suggested he could introduce similar tax cuts for business if he becomes prime minister.

The foreign secretary, who is one of 12 candidates standing to succeed Theresa May, said the US president had delivered "double the GDP growth that we have" and said we would want to "look at" the Republican's policy of "big business cuts in tax".

Mr Trump arrived in the UK on Monday morning for a three-day state visit and was greeted at Stansted Airport by Mr Hunt and other dignitaries.

The foreign secretary had earlier praised the US president and insisted that people were wrong to oppose his visit to the UK.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "America under President Trump has got double the GDP growth that we have and he's done that through some big business cuts in tax, and we could look at that."

The prospect of a post-Brexit trade deal is likely to be one of the main issues during discussions between Mr Trump and UK government ministers during the visit.

Describing the prospect of a deal with the US as "a very, very big opportunity for us", Mr Hunt said: "President Trump is a champion of the view that there are great opportunities for Britain post-Brexit."

However, he ruled out including the NHS in a possible trade deal, despite Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, having suggested that US access to the health service should be "on the table" during negotiations.

Echoing comments made by Matt Hancock, the health secretary, Mr Hunt said: "I can't conceive of any future prime minister for any party ever agreeing that we would allow NHS procurement to be part of trade talks, because the NHS as a publicly run, publicly owned institution is part of our DNA."

President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures Show all 40 1 /40 President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump, Prime Minister Theresa May and Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, pose for a photo during dinner at Winfield House, the US ambassador's residence in London AFP/Getty President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May share a laugh outside of Downing Street Reuters President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump walks with the Queen while other guests follow as they arrive at a state banquet in Buckingham Palace AFP/Getty President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures The red carpet is rolled out in front of Downing Street prior to the arrival of President Trump AP President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump meets with prime minister Theresa May for a business roundtable meeting at St James' Palace in London AP President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump makes a speech at the state banquet in Buckingham Palace Getty President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump and the Queen share a toast at the state banquet in Buckingham Palace Reuters President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures Philip May and Melania Trump attend a garden party for families of Downing Street staff on the second day of President Trump's visit Getty President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump meets with the Queen at Buckingham Palace as he arrives on the first day of his three-day state visit PA President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures A mixed crowd of supporters and detractors waits outside Buckingham Palace ahead of the arrival of President Trump Reuters President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump and the Queen view an exhibition of items from the Royal Collection that are of historical significance to the US PA President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump inspects an honour guard during a welcome ceremony in the garden of Buckingham Palace AP President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures The police block a road leading to Westminster Abbey, where Donald Trump is visiting on the first day of his state visit PA President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump walks with Prince Charles in the gardens of Buckingham Palace AFP/Getty President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures The McDonalds restaurant on Whitehall near to Westminster Abbey provides an excuse as to why they are not serving milkshakes today, though many have speculated that it is due to the recent trend of pouring milkshakes over right wing political figures Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures Protesters with anti-Trump signs stand on Whitehall near Downing Street Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump and First Lady Melania are welcomed by the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla at Buckingham Palace EPA President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery perform a gun salute to honour President Trump's state visit and to mark the 66th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation at Green Park Getty President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures A protester stands on Whitehall near Downing Street holding a sign with an anti-Trump message Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures A supporter welcomes the president's visit on Whitehall near Downing Street Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures A miniature Trump balloon in the protest on Whitehall near Downing Street Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures A protester wears a "No Trumps" card in his hat as he walks nearby to Buckingham Palace Getty President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump walks with Prince Charles and a Buckingham Palace guard as he is welcomed on the first day of his three-day state visit AFP/Getty President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures Dedicated pro-Trump and pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane awaits the president's arrival at Buckingham Palace Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures Crowds watch as Marine One, the helicopter carrying President Trump, arrives at Buckingham Palace PA President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump and First Lady Melania depart from Air Force one at Stansted Airport Reuters President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures Supporters of the president - and detractors of London mayor Sadiq Khan - await his arrival at Buckingham Palace Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Donald Trump salutes an honour guard as he and first lady Melania Trump arrive at Stansted Airport AP President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump and First Lady Melania arrive at Winfield House, the US ambassadors residence in London AP President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures An anti-Trump protester awaits the president's arrival at Buckingham Palace Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures Dedicated pro-Trump and pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane awaits the president's arrival at Buckingham Palace Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures A protester mowed this message into a field nearby to Stansted Airport Born Eco President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures An anti-Trump protester awaits the president's arrival at Buckingham Palace Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures A marching band parades down the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace ahead of the arrival of President Trump Reuters President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures Supporters of the president await his arrival at Buckingham Palace Tom Batchelor / The Independent President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump shakes hands with Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary Sky News President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures A policeman stands on the Mall, one of the roads leading to Buckingham Palace that is closed for the president's visit Reuters President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures Air Force One lands carrying U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arriving for their state visit to Britain Reuters President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures An honour guard await Trump's departure from Air Force One at Stansted Airport Sky News President Trump in Britain for state visit: In pictures President Trump and First Lady Melania depart from Air Force one at Stansted Airport AP

Mr Hunt said that, as prime minister, he would be willing to opt for a no-deal Brexit if he cannot secure a better exit deal.

He faced criticism from some Tory MPs last week after appearing to shift his stance on a no-deal outcome, warning that it would be "political suicide". He had previously claimed Britain would "flourish and prosper" if it left the EU without a deal.

Speaking to Today, he insisted Today: "My position on this hasn't changed at all. I've always said that in the end, if the only way to leave the European Union, to deliver on the result of the referendum, was to leave without a deal, then I would do that but I would so so very much as a last resort, with a heavy heart, because of the risks to businesses and the risks to the union.