Britain's Boris Johnson presses Biden for new trade deal

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson me clear to President Joe Biden on Saturday that he's er to forge a new U.S.-U.K. tre deal.

push for a new deal came in a bro-ranging call between two leers that touched on global response to coronavirus pandemic as well as Biden ministration anuncing this week that U.S. would rejoin Paris climate accord and World Health Organization, according to a statement from Downing Street.

A new tre agreement between allies is a higher priority for Johnson than it is for Biden. U.K. regained control over its national tre policy at start of month following end of a post-Brexit transition period.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday that ministration h timeline for forging a new tre deal as Biden's attention is largely focused on getting coronavirus pandemic under control and pressing Congress to pass president's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan.

Janet Yellen, Biden's Treasury secretary minee, also signaled during her confirmation hearing earlier this week that Biden wasn't er to negotiate new tre deals.

“President Biden has been clear that he will t sign any new free tre agreements before U.S. makes major investments in American workers and our infrastructure,” Yellen said.

Downing Street said Saturday that Biden and Johnson discussed “ benefits of a potential free tre deal between our two countries," and Johnson “reiterated his intention to resolve existing tre issues as soon as possible."

call with Johnson was at least Biden's third call with a foreign counterpart since Friday. president spoke with Canian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obror on Friday evening.