Boris Johnson to Meet Joe Biden in White House as He Seeks to Restore Transatlantic Relations

Strategic Insights -

Boris Johnson will meet Joe Biden in the White House for the first time this week, seeking to restore transatlantic relations following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. The visit comes after Johnson, Biden, and Scott Morrison joined forces to forge a new Asia-Pacific defence pact, smoothing relations between London and Washington. Johnson will also use the visit to make the case for more action to tackle global warming, ahead of November's UN COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Additionally, he will face pressure from Biden and congressional leaders over his handling of the post-Brexit settlement in Northern Ireland and will challenge Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on tax and climate change issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • Boris Johnson's visit to the White House aims to restore transatlantic relations following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
  • Johnson, Biden, and Scott Morrison forged a new Asia-Pacific defence pact to smooth relations between London and Washington.
  • The prime minister will make the case for more action to tackle global warming, ahead of November's UN COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.
  • Johnson will face pressure from Biden and congressional leaders over his handling of the post-Brexit settlement in Northern Ireland.
  • He will press Jeff Bezos on tax and climate change issues, including international corporate tax rates and climate change commitments.
  • Johnson will co-host a meeting of world leaders at the UN and call for more pledges from rich economies to help developing countries "grow cleanly and greenly".
  • The UK and US are expected to discuss the possibility of opening a transatlantic travel corridor.

Statistics:

  • 191 countries signed the Paris agreement.
  • The target of $100bn in annual climate aid by 2020 was missed by rich countries.
  • November's UN COP26 climate summit will focus on agreeing goals for climate finance.

Sources:

  • "Downing street said Johnson would call for more pledges from rich economies to help developing countries 'grow cleanly and greenly'." - No source provided.
  • Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, said "Domestic US politics and Biden's own views are driving a deep frustration at the UK's unwillingness (as they see it) to reconcile with the EU and implement the Brexit deal," - No source provided.
  • "Obviously, we recognise that, as one of the largest companies in the world, Amazon has a role in addressing issues of climate change and biodiversity," said the prime minister's spokesman. - No source provided.
  • The shortfall in funding was reported to be $100bn in annual climate aid, - citing the Paris agreement
  • The number of countries that signed the Paris agreement was 191, - citing the Paris agreement