Johnson says he looks forward to working with Biden on shared goals

In this image grab made from video, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a televised address to the nation from 10 Downing Street, London, Jan 4, 2021, setting out new emergency measures to control the spread of the coronavirus in England. (PHOTO / POOL VIA AP)

LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday he looked forward to working with US President Joe Biden on their shared goals, including tackling climate change.

Johnson used his first phone call with the US president to welcome Biden’s announcements that the United States would rejoin the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate and the World Health Organization, and they discussed the prospects of a free trade deal.

The White House said US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson talked about cooperation, including through multilateral organizations, on curbing climate change and fighting COVID-19

“Great to speak to President Joe Biden this evening,” Johnson said on Twitter. “I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19.”

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The White House said Biden and Johnson talked about cooperation, including through multilateral organizations, on curbing climate change and fighting COVID-19.

Biden also conveyed his intention to “strengthen the special relationship between our countries and revitalize transatlantic ties, underscoring the critical role of NATO to our collective defense and shared values,” the White House said in a release.

A spokeswoman for Johnson said the leaders “also discussed the benefits of a potential free trade deal between our two countries.” Britain left the European Union last year. Biden’s call with Johnson was his first with a European leader since taking office.

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On Friday, Biden spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

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