President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson have had a falling out over a call in January that ended with Trump slamming down the phone, according to published reports, and it looks like Trump is losing Johnson's backing.
Business Insider said officials described the call as "apoplectic" with the two leaders venting at each other. Johnson has since cancelled a planned March visit to the White House, with an official confirming it was to avoid further conflict with Trump.
Trump's initial anger with Johnson was sparked by the U.K.'s decision to allow Chinese company Huawei to have a role in building its 5G network, the Daily Mail reported.
Trump reportedly called that a "betrayal." The United States has banned Huawei from government contracts over security concerns as the United States maintains the company has close ties to the Communist Chinese government.
The Trump administration has since threatened to restrict Johnson's government from access to U.S. intelligence unless he changes his mind on Huawei. Other European governments are following the U.K. and working with Huawei despite U.S. pressure.
Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney told British officials that going through with the deal would have "direct and dramatic impact" on cooperation between the U.S. and U.K.
According to the Financial Times, Trump's threats irritated the U.K. government because he did not offer any alternatives.
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