British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged President Biden to conclude a new trade deal with the UK in a phone 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 “the benefits of a possible free trade agreement” with Biden, according to a Downing Street statement from the Associated Press.
Johnson, a single Trump ally who distanced himself from the former president during his final term, also congratulated Biden for rejoining the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization, two reverse changes of Trump.
“It’s great to talk to President @ JoeBiden this evening,” Johnson tweeted Saturday.
“I look forward to deepening the long-term alliance between our two countries as we push for a green and sustainable recovery of COVID-19.”
The Biden administration has stated in recent weeks that it is unwilling to commit to any new trade deal.
“President Biden has made it clear that he will not sign any new free trade agreement until the US makes significant investments in American workers and our infrastructure,” the Treasury Secretary nominee said earlier this week. , Janet Yellen.
The call with Johnson was at least Biden’s third with a foreign leader since taking office on Wednesday; the president spoke Friday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
With publishing cables