US President Biden and UK PM Boris Johnson discuss NATO, climate change and human rights
United States President Joe Biden conveyed his intention to “strengthen the special relationship” between the U.S. and the United Kingdom. In his first call with the new U.S. president, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he looked forward to “deepening the close alliance” between the two countries.
President Biden also underscored the critical role of NATO for collective defense and the importance of cooperation, including through multilateral organizations, on shared challenges such as combatting climate change, containing COVID-19, and ensuring global health security.
The two leaders also discussed the need for coordination on shared foreign policy priorities, including China, Iran, and Russia.
Downing Street said that the UK prime minister warmly welcomed Biden’s decision to rejoin the Paris agreement on climate change and the World Health Organization (WHO) and “early action on tackling climate change and commitment to reach net zero by 2050.”
After the call, the UK prime minister tweeted: “Great to speak to President Joe Biden this evening. I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19.”
“Building on the UK and US’s long history of cooperation in security and defense, the leaders re-committed to the NATO alliance and our shared values in promoting human rights and protecting democracy” the 10 Downing Street said.
The two leaders also discussed the benefits of a potential free trade deal between the two countries as UK prime minister reiterated his intention to resolve existing trade issues as soon as possible. The leaders looked forward to meeting in person as soon as the circumstances allow, and to working together through the G7, G20 and COP26 this year.
Johnson is the first European leader to have spoken to the new president after Biden had calls with the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
