British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked President Biden to conclude a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom in a phone call, which is 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 the benefits of a potential free trade agreement with Biden, according to a Downing Street statement, reports Associated Press.
Johnson, a one-time Trump ally who distanced himself from the former president during his last term, also congratulated Biden on rejoining the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization, which was made twice by Trump.
“Great to talk to President @ JoeBiden tonight,” Johnson tweeted Saturday.
“I look forward to deepening the long-standing alliance between our two countries as we get a green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19.”
The administration of Biden has stated in recent weeks that it is not prepared to commit to new trade agreements.
“President Biden was clear that he would not sign any new free trade agreements until the US made major investments in US workers and our infrastructure,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said earlier this week.
The call with Johnson was at least Biden’s third with a foreign leader since taking office on Wednesday; the president spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday.
With Post threads