Joe Biden talks to Boris Johnson as Britain-US ‘special relationship’ enters new era
- US president-elect also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
- Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulates Biden after refraining from acknowledging Trump’s defeat last week
US President-elect Joe Biden held a 20-25 minute phone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday, in which the two leaders outlined their priorities on defence, trade and climate change.
The conversation was Biden’s second official call to a national leader after speaking to Canada’s Justin Trudeau. It will be seen as a welcome signal in London that the incoming White House team still regards Britain as a vital international ally. Biden also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday.
The so-called special relationship between Britain and America has long been an obsession in the UK, but there have been reports recently that Biden’s team have taken a negative view of Johnson.
Points of tension recently included Biden’s blunt warning to Johnson in September over the British leader’s approach to negotiations with the European Union. In addition, Johnson has been seen as close to Donald Trump, the current president who has often been vocal in his admiration for the British premier.
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In an emailed statement on the call, Johnson’s office said he invited Biden to the COP26 climate summit taking place in Scotland next year.
