Washington, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump made his debut as a statesman Friday, welcoming British Prime Minister Theresa May as the first foreign leader to visit his White House.

The meeting will be a pivotal moment in trans-Atlantic relations, which have been rocked by Trump’s election and his willingness to rethink NATO, the UN and other foundation blocks of the liberal world order.

Trump greeted May himself upon her arrival at the White House. The pair were to meet in the Oval Office before a joint press conference at roughly 1800 GMT before a working lunch.

May’s trip is part influence campaign and part charm offensive.

She is expected to give Trump an engraved quaich — a ceremonial cup exchanged by Scottish highland chiefs — in a nod to Trump’s Scottish ancestry. His mother was born on the island of Lewis.

For First Lady Melania Trump, May will gift a hamper of apple juice, damson plum jam, marmalade, Bakewell tarts and cranberry and white chocolate shortbread cookies.

But aside from the desserts, the meeting will have a meaty main course.

May hopes to win the neophyte president’s support for collective security arrangements that have underpinned European security since World War II.

Trump has decried NATO as “obsolete” and expressed a willingness to befriend Russia’s Vladimir Putin — two positions that deeply concern European leaders from London to Lisbon.

Much of Britain’s military power, including its nuclear deterrent, depends on US equipment and systems.

In private, European diplomats fret about the influence of top Trump advisor Steve Bannon, who has made common cause with right-wing nationalists and populists in France, Britain and beyond.

Shortly after his election, Trump met with right-wing British politician Nigel Farage, who has made dismantling the European Union his life’s work.