British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on President Biden to strike a new trade deal with the United Kingdom in a phone call on Saturday, marking the first official discussion between the two world leaders since Biden was inaugurated.
Johnson “reiterated his intention to resolve existing trade problems as quickly as possible” and discussed “the benefits of a potential free trade agreement” with Biden, according to a Downing Street statement reported by the Associated Press.
Johnson, a former Trump ally who distanced himself from the former president during his final term, also congratulated Biden on returning to the Paris climate deal and the World Health Organization, two reversals of moves made by Trump.
“It’s great to talk to President @JoeBiden tonight,” Johnson tweeted on Saturday.
“I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19.”
The Biden government has declared in recent weeks that it is not ready to commit to new trade deals.
“President Biden made it clear that he will not sign any new free trade agreements before the United States makes major investments in American workers and in our infrastructure,” said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, nominee, earlier this week.
The Johnson bond 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.
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