The British government has published its blueprint for trade relations with the European Union after Brexit. The document says the 'depth of the relationship' between the people of the UK and the EU must be recognized. Controversy surrounding the policy document heightened when the US President Donald Trump questioned whether the plan had public support. Richard Bestic reports from London.

The U.S. President hadn't even touched down for his three-day working visit to the UK when he'd waded into the row over Brexit. He said before departing Brussels he had doubts over the EU break-up being served to the British people.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "People voted to break it up, so I imagine that's what they'll do. But maybe they're taking a little bit of a different route, so I don't know if that's what they voted for."

UK Prime Minister Theresa May was already under pressure over her plan for a future trading relationship with Europe. And although keen to avoid any spat with the US President, was quick to defend her government's policy.

THERESA MAY UK PRIME MINISTER "We've come to an agreement at the proposal we're putting to the European Union, which absolutely delivers on the Brexit that people voted for. They voted for us to take control back on our money, our law and our borders and that's exactly what we will do."

May's plan however is a compromise designed to enable frictionless trade with the EU, once Britain quits next March, coming close to - but not crossing -- Brussels' red lines.

It would mean accepting EU rules and regulations, as well as the authority of the European Court of Justice to interpret those rules. Politically it was costly -- with two senior ministers resigning in protest, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

'Let me set out the key proposals.'

When the blueprint was announced in the UK Parliament, some of the strongest critics were on Theresa May's side of the House.

RICHARD BESTIC LONDON "So, the British government has finally unveiled its blueprint for relations with the European Union post-Brexit. Now, that doesn't mean the recriminations inside this place are going to end, nor does it mean the White Paper policy document will survive first contact with EU negotiators in Brussels. Add into the mix the arrival in the UK of Donald Trump the US President and his comments and you get the idea that Brexit is going to be a long and winding road. RB CGTN London."