Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the relationship between the UK and the US is ‘indestructible’, after meeting President Joe Biden for the first time.
The pair met as President Biden visits the UK for the G7 summit of world leaders in Cornwall. The PM says they had “terrific” talks. He insists Mr Biden hasn’t rebuked him over post-Brexit tensions in Northern Ireland. However, it is believed that the American president has “deep concerns” about the situation.
The summit sees leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the US and UK gather in person for the first time since the pandemic. They will discuss issues including vaccines and climate change.
In efforts to end the coronavirus pandemic in 2022, the G7 nations will all together provide a billion doses of Covid vaccines. Ahead of the meeting, Mr Johnson promises the UK will donate over 100 million unused vaccines to poorer countries. Meanwhile, Mr Biden pledged 500 million doses of Pfizer vaccines to low and middle-income countries and the African Union.
Mr Johnson describes the UK’s relationship with the US as “deep and meaningful”. They have shared beliefs in human rights, rules-based international order and the transatlantic alliance. Their association has lasted a very long time, and is important to peace and prosperity around the globe. The relationship between the UK and US is labelled as ‘special’.
A cause for friction
One area posing potential friction between the two nations is the Northern Ireland Protocol. This is the part of the Brexit deal preventing checks along the Irish border. Mr Biden worries that the new arrangements could jeopardise efforts of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. This was the peace deal signed to help end years of violence and unrest in NI. However, Mr Johnson says the president did not voice any concerns with him.
Implementing the agreed arrangement is a huge task full of challenges. The UK, the US and the EU all want to preserve the balance in Northern Ireland, but feel a resolution to the issue is unlikely in the next few days. However, the prime minister is confident that the different sides are able to “work it out”.
Arrangements were originally set out in the 2019 Brexit withdrawal deal, but since then the UK wants more flexibility.
Meanwhile, the president of the European Commission says the protocol is the “only solution” and should be fully implemented.
French President Emmanuel Macron doesn’t see the need for further review of something already finalised after years of debate and work. He believes a trade deal was negotiated and made, and to go against it now shows a lack of respect.
Cuts to overseas aid
Earlier this week, the prime minister faced strong criticism over his decision to cut overseas aid spending from 0.7% to 0.5% of national income. This is despite a manifesto promise to maintain the higher level. Some of his own MPs even joined in, with one saying it would lead to “hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths”.
In defence of his decision, Mr Johnson says his aid spending as a percentage of GDP is more than the amount the last two Labour governments spent.
The pandemic put a huge financial strain on the country, and Mr Johnson argues that the public understand. The people of this country should be proud of the efforts made despite the difficulties everyone faced.
He also reiterated all the help the UK has given to other countries throughout the pandemic with the distribution of vaccines. The fight against Covid would not be possible without all of the UK’s efforts.
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