Britain's Boris Johnson presses Biden for new trade deal
24 January, 2021
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson clarified to President Joe Biden on the subject of Saturday (Jan 23) that he's wanting to forge a fresh US-UK trade deal.
The push for a new offer came in a broad-ranging call between your two leaders that touched on the global response to the coronavirus pandemic in addition to the Biden administration announcing this week that the US would rejoin the Paris climate accord and the Community Health Firm, according to a statement from Downing Street.
A new trade agreement between the allies is a higher priority for Johnson than it really is for Biden. The UK regained control over its national trade policy in the beginning of the month following end of a post-Brexit transition period.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday that the administration had no timeline for forging a fresh trade offer as Biden's attention is basically focused on obtaining the coronavirus pandemic under control and pressing Congress to move the president's US$1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan.
Janet Yellen, Biden's Treasury secretary nominee, as well signalled during her confirmation hearing earlier this week that Biden wasn't wanting to negotiate new trade bargains.
"President Biden provides been clear that he'll not sign any brand-new free trade agreements prior to the US makes key investments in American employees and our infrastructure," Yellen said.
Downing Street stated Saturday that Biden and Johnson discussed "the great things about a potential no cost trade package between our several countries", and Johnson "reiterated his intention to solve existing trade concerns immediately".
The call with Johnson was at least Biden's third call with a foreign counterpart since Friday. The president spoke with Canadian Primary Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Fri evening.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
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