Boris Johnson admits US-UK trade deal won’t be a ‘pushover’ under Biden

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has mitted that he does t believe a post-Brexit tre deal with US would be a “pushover” under new President-elect Joe Biden but stressed that re is a “good chance” of it coming through.

In a brocast interview from 10 Downing Street in London on Sunday, Johnson reiterated his previous congratulatory statements on Biden’s election win and also welcomed Kamala Harris for making history as first female Vice-President in US.

“ US is our closest and most important ally and that’s been case under President after President, Prime Minister after Prime Minister, it won’t change. I look forward very much to working with President Biden and his team on a lot of crucial stuff for us in weeks and months ahe – tackling climate change, tre, international security, many or issues,” Johnson said to Associated Press.

“On a tre deal with US, I am a keen student of United States tre policy and y are tough negotiators. I never believed that this was something that was going to be a complete pushover under any US ministration. I think re is a good chance that we will do something,” he said.

Asked about Biden’s comments in past that have likened Johnson to outgoing US President Donald Trump as his "clone" and his well-documented opposition to Britain’s exit from European Union (EU), Johnson stressed that re is far more that unites UK government and government in Washington, than divides us.

“We have common values, common interests, we have a common global perspective. re is a huge amount of work that we need to do toger to protect those values. I believe in democracy, in free speech around world, in human rights, in free tre, in rules-based international order. All se things are currently under threat,” he said.

Specifically, on controversial Internal Market Bill, related to open border on island of Ireland post-Brexit, Johnson sought to dismiss Biden’s concerns. Bill is set to go through House of Lords on Monday, where it is expected to face tough opposition as many believe it goes against EU Withdrawal Agreement or so-called divorce arrangement agreed with ecomic bloc.

“ whole point is to protect and uphold Good Friday Agreement and peace process in rrn Ireland, one of things we are united on with our friends in White House,” said Johnson.

UK PM once again expressed his confidence around a UK-EU post-Brexit tre agreement, talks for which remain ongoing this week as EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator, Michel Barnier, and UK’s Lord Frost continue talks in London this week.

“I have always been a great enthusiast for a tre deal with our European friends and partners. I think it’s re to be done, bro outlines are pretty clear, we just need to get on and do it if we can,” Johnson said.

UK left EU on January 31 but continues to follow bloc's rules until end of year.

If re is agreement at that point, tre between two will default to World Tre Organisation (WTO) rules – with tariffs set to be introduced on many imports and exports, which could push up costs for firms and consumers. Businesses on both sides have been pushing for an agreement, time for which is soon running out as Brexit transition period concludes at end of December.