British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged President Biden on Saturday to sign 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 deal” with Biden, according to a statement from Downing Street reported by the Associated Press.
Johnson, a one-time Trump ally who distanced himself from the former president during his final term, also congratulated Biden on his return to the Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization, two reversals of Trump’s measures.
“Great to speak with President @JoeBiden tonight,” Johnson tweeted Saturday.
“I look forward to deepening the long-term alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery of COVID-19.”
The Biden government has stated in recent weeks that it is not ready to commit to new trade deals.
“President Biden has made it clear that he will not sign any new free trade agreements until the US makes major investments in American workers and our infrastructure,” said Janet Yellen, the Treasury Secretary-candidate, earlier this week.
The Johnson call 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 pole wires