From Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan, to a post-Brexit trade deal and the race to succeed Theresa May as prime minister, there was plenty for Donald Trump to talk about in the first news conference of his UK state visit.

The US president and Mrs May answered questions from the media after behind-closed-doors talks in Downing Street, during which they discussed issues such as climate change and Islamic State.

But while Mr Trump stuck to his script during the opening speeches at the briefing, things got more interesting once questions started rolling in.

Sky’s political correspondent Kate McCann said that while the president spoke warmly about efforts by Mrs May to conclude a deal with the European Union, and the prospect of a future trade agreement between the UK and the US, there were still clear signs of disagreement.

“On that trade deal the president said the NHS would have to be on the table in order to do a deal – something many in the UK strongly resist, including the health secretary [Matt Hancock],” McCann noted.

“He called again for NATO countries to increase their defence spending and claimed the prime minister agreed when they talked before the press conference.

“He had some choice words for Jeremy Corbyn, who he revealed had asked for a meeting which had been declined, perhaps in light of the Labour leader’s decision to boycott the state dinner and speak at a rally against Mr Trump.

“He had a message for Conservative leadership candidates too – reiterating his support for Boris Johnson but also heaping praise on Jeremy Hunt. He added that he doesn’t know Michael Gove and even asked the prime minister if she thought Mr Hunt – the foreign secretary – would be a good replacement.”

On the suggestion that the NHS could be involved in a UK-US trade deal, Sky’s economics editor Ed Conway said it was hardly a surprise.

“Every time the US has done a trade deal it has tended to insist that they are as advantageous as possible for US exporters,” Conway said.

“That means agriculture is included; it means lucrative markets are opened up to US participation. And there are few UK markets bigger or more compelling than the NHS.

“And this is the fundamental truth about trade deals such as these. They’re not just about numbers, tariffs or even economics. They’re also about cultural choices – how a country manages its markets and welfare for one thing. That’s why they tend to take many years to negotiate and why many trade deals collapse before they even get signed.”

And what of Huawei? It was expected to be a big talking point on this state visit, as the president was believed to oppose any consideration by Mrs May to allow the Chinese technology giant to help build Britain’s 5G network.

But he used the news briefing to dismiss any suggestion he would limit US intelligence sharing with the UK as a result, insisting London and Washington had “absolutely an agreement on Huawei” – even though he has banned the company’s equipment from American networks.

Sky’s foreign affairs editor Deborah Haynes noted: “He signalled that Huawei did come up in talks between him and his delegation and Mrs May and her officials at 10 Downing Street.

“But added, on the issue of the unique US intelligence sharing relationship with the UK – one of the most important elements of the special relationship: ‘I see absolutely no limitations. We have never had limitations. This is a truly great ally and partner and we will have no problem with that.’.”

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