US President Joe Biden speaks to UK’s Boris Johnson in first call to a European leader

Johnson tweeted: ‘I look forward to deepening the long-standing alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from Covid-19’

The leaders also discussed the benefits of a potential free trade deal and Johnson committed to resolving trade issues as soon as possible

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to US President Joe Biden from London. Photo: Twitter@BorisJohnson via Reuters

Published: 6:40am, 24 Jan 2021Updated: 7:39pm, 24 Jan 2021

US President Joe Biden has spoken to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his first call to a European leader since his inauguration, discussing the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and security.

Johnson said it was “great” to speak to Biden. “I look forward to deepening the long-standing alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from Covid-19,” he wrote on Twitter on Saturday evening.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the two leaders also discussed the benefits of a potential free-trade deal and Johnson committed to resolving trade issues as soon as possible.

Britain is seeking new deals after its post-Brexit transition period ended and it officially left the European Union’s internal market and customs union this month.

The White House did not mention any trade discussions in a later confirmation of the call, but said Biden conveyed his intentions to strengthen the special Britain-US relationship and revitalise transatlantic ties. He also underscored support for Nato.

Biden’s first call to a foreign leader after his inauguration was to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday.

The two agreed to have a meeting next month to work on “renewing the deep and enduring friendship between Canada and the United States”, Trudeau‘s office said.