Boris Johnson Has First Call With New US President

Boris Johnson has had his first call with Joe Biden since the new US President entered the White House on Wednesday.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister congratulated Mr Biden on his inauguration and warmly welcomed his decision to re-join the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Following the call, Mr Johnson tweeted it was "great" to speak to President Biden.

He added: "I look forward to deepening the long-standing alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from Covid19."

A Number 10 spokesman said they had also discussed the potential benefits of a free trade deal, with the Prime Minister reiterating his intention to resolve the outstanding issues as soon as possible.

"The Prime Minister praised President Biden’s early action on tackling climate change and commitment to reach net-zero by 2050," the spokesman said.

"Building on the UK and US' long history of cooperation in security and defence, the leaders re-committed to the NATO alliance and our shared values in promoting human rights and protecting democracy.

"The leaders looked forward to meeting in person as soon as the circumstances allow, and to working together through the G7, G20 and Cop26 this year."

It is reported that Mr Johnson is the first European leader to have spoken to the new president, after he had calls on Friday with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Following the inauguration, Number 10 sought to play down Mr Biden's decision to remove a bust of Winston Churchill from the Oval Office.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "The Oval Office is the president’s private office and it's up to the president to decorate it as he wishes.

"We’re in no doubt of the importance that President Biden places on the UK and US relationship and the Prime Minister looks forward to having a close relationship with him."

Cover image: PA.