President Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday discussed issues such as trade, NATO and the coronavirus pandemic in their first phone call since the inauguration of the U.S. leader.
Why it’s important: A new trade deal with the U.S. is a priority for Johnson, whose country ended its economic split with the European Union late last year, AP noted.
What they say: Biden “conveyed his intention to strengthen the special relationship between our countries and revitalize transatlantic ties, emphasizing the critical role of NATO in our collective defense and our shared values,” said a reading of the call of the White House.
- “President Biden also noted the importance of cooperation, even through multilateral organizations, in shared challenges such as the fight against climate change, the content of COVID-19 and global health security,” he said. add reading.
A Downing Street statement he said Biden and Johnson also “discussed the benefits of a possible free trade agreement between our two countries and the Prime Minister reiterated his intention to resolve existing trade problems as soon as possible.”
- “The Prime Minister welcomed the President’s decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as the World Health Organization and the COVAX program to ensure equitable access to climate change. vaccines, “the statement added.
The big picture: Biden’s conversation with Johnson came a day after the U.S. president spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in separate phone calls.