British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged President Biden to conclude a new trade deal with Britain in a telephone call on Saturday, marking the first official discussion between the two world leaders since Biden was sworn in.
Johnson “reiterated his intention to resolve existing trade issues as soon as possible” and discussed with Biden “the benefits of a potential free trade agreement,” according to a Downing Street statement from the Associated Press.
Johnson, a unique ally of Trump, who distanced himself from the former president in his last term, also congratulated Biden for joining the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization, two reversals of Trump’s moves.
“Great to talk to President @ JoeBiden tonight,” Johnson wrote on Twitter on Saturday.
“I look forward to deepening the long-term alliance between our two countries as we promote a green and sustainable recovery in COVID-19.”
The Biden administration has said in recent weeks that it is not ready to enter into new trade agreements.
“President Biden has made it clear that he will not sign any new free trade agreement until the United States makes major investments in American workers and our infrastructure,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said earlier this week.
Johnson’s call was at least Biden’s third with a foreign leader since taking office Wednesday; The president spoke on Friday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
With Post threads