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Joe Biden’s victory in the US presidential election has significant ramifications for all of the key US allies, but especially the UK, which faces great challenges repositioning itself for the new presidency.
The first problem is personal: Biden associates Boris Johnson, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, with his rival Donald Trump. After last year’s general election, he described the UK prime minister as “a physical and emotional clone” of Trump.
Biden and his team see Brexit as a historic mistake, both for the interests of the United Kingdom and the United States in Europe.
After the White House race for Biden was called on Saturday afternoon, Johnson was quick to offer warm words.
“Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on his historic achievement,” he said in a statement. “The United States is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely on our shared priorities.” , from climate change to trade and security. “
Although Johnson and Biden have never met, the prime minister’s allies hope a relationship can be forged if his triumph is confirmed. “Boris will come over immediately to smooth things over. He is not a mini-Trump and Joe Biden will find out when they start chatting, ”said a cabinet minister.
British diplomats noted that despite the upbeat rhetoric, relations between the United Kingdom and the United States had not been especially productive during Trump’s last four years as president. “What did the president do for us? He intimidated us into eliminating Huawei, but did little with Brexit or trade, ”said a UK government official.
Some in the UK Foreign Office believe that French President Emmanuel Macron can play a crucial role in European politics for Biden, and therefore for Johnson. A senior diplomat said: “We hope that the president will address France first. Their teams have already been working closely together. “
A Biden presidency may increase pressure on Johnson to remove contentious clauses from the internal market bill, which nullifies parts of the UK’s Brexit treaty in relation to Northern Ireland.
Biden is proud of his Irish heritage and has warned the UK not to do anything that could undermine the Good Friday Agreement, the 1998 agreement that resolved three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. Recently, it paid tribute to John Hume, one of the architects of the agreement, as a “great man of peace” who would “inspire future generations of peacemakers and patriots.”
Colum Eastwood, Hume’s successor as leader of the Social Democratic and Labor Party, warned that Johnson should not ignore Biden’s words on protecting peace in Ireland.
“Unlike Donald Trump, Joe Biden really knows what the Good Friday Agreement is. He has a long-standing commitment and understanding of Northern Ireland’s problems, ”he said.
Mr. Eastwood added that Mr. Biden would be a “very different kind of president” and would be building bridges. “He will not look for arguments around the world. He will want to work very closely with the UK, he will want there to be a trade deal even if he disagrees with Brexit, ”he added.
Johnson’s allies signaled that Brexit would be resolved soon and that 2021 would mark a new beginning for U.K.-U.S. Relations.
“We have a real opportunity with a new president. I think there is more in common [with Mr Biden] than it may appear at first glance, ”said a well-placed Tory.
Westminster officials admitted that it would be “much easier” to work with Biden in terms of politics than with Trump. “The route from the UK to Biden is political,” said one official. “We strongly agree.”
Security issues related to Russia, democracy in Hong Kong, and human rights around the world are expected to be included in the first talks with the new administration.
Climate change is the clearest route for the Johnson administration to build bridges. The UK will host the upcoming G7 summit and COP26 climate change conference.
Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Commons foreign affairs select committee, said the UK should “ensure that President Biden is closely involved with COP26 and the G7” so that “both countries demonstrate our internationalism and green credentials.”
He added that Johnson would need to rebuild European relations. “A Biden presidency would mean the UK would have to think hard about its relationship with the EU, not just trade but diplomacy as well. His administration will seek greater coordination in its European relations, ”he said.
Whitehall officials said Johnson was eager to be one of the first international leaders to call Biden once his victory was confirmed and that he would “push these policy points.”
The other big challenge for Johnson will be securing a trade deal between the United Kingdom and the United States. Negotiations began under the Trump administration, but did not come to fruition.
The Department of International Trade does not expect the Biden administration to prioritize trade talks to the same degree, but it remains “extremely optimistic.”
In trade policy, the change of administration is unlikely to alter key issues.
“Agriculture will be a massive priority for America, whether there is a Republican or Democratic administration,” said Nick von Westenholz, director of commerce for the National Farmers Union. “Discussions on controversial topics like food safety and chemicals in food are not going away.”
