US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would seek to stay out of the British election campaign, but would still meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Asked by reporters during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Britain, Trump said: "I will stay out of the elections. I don't want to complicate it."
But he confirmed that he would meet Johnson during his visit. Asked by reporters, he said: "Yes, I will meet him. I think Boris is very capable and I think he will do a good job."
In contrast, Trump refused to repeat his earlier criticism of opposition Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbin, saying, "I can work with anyone, and I am a very easy person to work with."
The Downing Street prime minister was set to welcome Trump as he arrived for a NATO meeting 10 days before the December 12 election.
Opinion polls suggest the Conservatives are heading towards a comfortable win during the election, but Johnson's team is concerned about provocative remarks from Trump, who cannot be predicted.
Trump has openly backed Britain's imminent Brexit, which Johnson promised to accomplish in January after years of tough negotiations in London.
The Labor Party has sought to capitalize on Trump's visit to Britain by reiterating claims that Johnson would sacrifice free national health service in the UK as part of a trade deal with the United States after the Brexit, which both Johnson and Trump have denied.