Trump Blames Obama For Pulling Out Of London Trip: President Claims He Won't Cut Ribbon On $1.2bn Embassy Because The Old Site Was Sold For 'Peanuts' In A 'Bad Deal' - And Not Because He Feared Hostile Reception

Donald Trump canceled plans to visit Britain in February, and is blaming the Obama administration for the fallout. The US President took to Twitter late Thursday night to talk down the administration's decision to sell the acclaimed American Embassy London, formerly located in Grosvenor Square. 

The US President took to Twitter late Thursday night to talk down the administration's decision to sell the acclaimed American Embassy London, formerly located in Grosvenor Square.

'Reason I canceled my trip to London is that I am not a big fan of the Obama Administration having sold perhaps the best located and finest embassy in London for 'peanuts,' only to build a new one in an off location for 1.2 billion dollars. Bad deal. Wanted me to cut ribbon-NO!,' Trump wrote.

But, according to the embassy's website, the decision to change the location to the new Nine Elms area of Wandsworth took place during George W. Bush's time in office, prior to Obama's in January 2009.

Trump was previously expected to make his first trip to the UK since entering office, but Government officials were newly informed he went cold on the idea.

A new date has not been offered, raising the prospect of a major diplomatic snub. One senior source told the Mail that Mr Trump – who was expected to officially open the new US embassy in London – had cancelled because he was unhappy about the arrangements and the scale of the visit.


The reversal comes despite Mr Trump telling Theresa May last month that he would come to Britain in the New Year. 

Preparations were advanced for a 'working' visit to officially open the embassy, but the Mail understands this role will now be performed by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.