As Joe Biden begins his transfer into the White House and talks arise regarding the President Elects stance on climate change and how his team will tackle Covid-19, we ask what a Biden Presidency will mean for the UK?
Boris Johnson received a phone call from President Elect Biden before any other European Leader.
As the Prime Minister offered congratulations the reportedly 25 minute long conversation mentioned trade, NATO and democracy.
Johnson announced the news via Twitter.
I just spoke to @JoeBiden to congratulate him on his election. I look forward to strengthening the partnership between our countries and to working with him on our shared priorities – from tackling climate change, to promoting democracy and building back better from the pandemic.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 10, 2020
It has previously been said that Biden finds the PM, the world leader, most like Donald Trump.
However, as Downing Street searches for much needed trade deals, a good relationship between the US and UK governments could prove vital.
Former Labour Prime Minister, Gordon Brown told Radio 4’s Today Programme on Monday that Biden is a “friend of Britain” and could visit the UK within his first six months in office.
He added that a US-UK trade deal was not an immediate option but “a possibility over time”. Brown has worked with and is a friend of the Future President.
Before any deal is addressed the government will have to think about Biden’s strong links to Ireland.
It is also understood that Boris Johnson has assured Mr Biden that Brexit would not undermine the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.
In a statement, Biden’s office said he had “reaffirmed” his support for the Good Friday Agreement, which his Democratic predecessor in the White House, President Bill Clinton, played an instrumental role in bringing about.
Photo by: “Boris Johnson on the telephone” by UK Prime Minister | CreativeCommons
The team behind Mr Biden’s campaign success also expressed his desire to strengthen the historic “special relationship” between the two countries.
Earlier in the week, Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg warned that the UK could “struggle for relevance” under a Biden presidency.
Speaking to Radio 4 Clegg said, ““I think the issue is why should a Joe Biden presidency care as much about the United Kingdom, as much as presidents have done in the past, when the United Kingdom is withdrawing from the European bloc, which I know, having spoken to him about it on so many occasions over the years, Joe Biden really cares about.”
Talking about the President-Elect’s views on his Irish Heritage, Mr Clegg said; “Joe Biden is immensely proud of his Irish roots – he did it publicly in his speech yesterday (after being announced president-elect), he does it privately as well, quotes Seamus Heaney at the drop of a hat,”
The Prime Minister told the BBC there was “far more that unites” than divides the UK and US, saying: “The United States is our closest and most important ally, and that has been the case president after president, prime minister after prime minister – it won’t change.”
Infographic by Jack Sanders (via Canva)
Words: Jack Sanders | Subbing: Grace Staley