U.S. President Joe Biden, during his meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the White House on Tuesday, refused to commit to a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom, stating only that "talks are ongoing" between the two countries. In response to a question regarding the possibility of such an agreement, Biden told reporters in the Oval Office, with Johnson seated next to him, "We will have to work on it." He added that "discussions are continuing" on this matter between the nations.
During his meeting with Johnson, Biden issued a stern warning to his guest, emphasizing that he "does not want to see" the "Irish borders change" due to Britain’s exit from the European Union, asserting that this issue and reaching a trade agreement between the countries are "two different matters."
Last week, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi explicitly linked respect for the peace agreement in Northern Ireland, which stipulates open borders with the Republic of Ireland, to any trade negotiations with London. The British government is currently in negotiations with Brussels regarding the relationship that will exist between the UK and the EU post-Brexit.
For his part, Johnson welcomed the "recent progress in the relationship between London and Washington," describing the lifting of restrictions on foreign travelers wishing to enter the United States as "fantastic." He also praised the recent strategic agreement made between his country, the United States, and Australia, which has stirred anger in France.
