US-UK ties need nurturing if Biden claims White House

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Us-Uk Ties Need Nurturing If Biden Claims White House
A mural of Joe Biden in Co Mayo.
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Former British ambassador to the US, Lord Kim Darroch said it was “not impossible” for Boris Johnson’s administration to have a strong relationship with a Biden White House, despite past comments made by both sides.

He told BBC Breakfast: “We don’t start from a perfect place because Biden is on record as not being a fan of Brexit and he has been less than complimentary about our Prime Minister.

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“For our part, Boris Johnson, back when he was foreign secretary, said some uncomplimentary things about Barack Obama that are remembered in the Democratic Party.

“And I think the Democrats think he has been a little too friendly with Donald Trump.

“All that said, it is not impossible still to have a very constructive relationship.”

Lord Darroch said the “big risk” to Johnson-Biden relations was the impact of a no-deal Brexit here in Ireland and any resulting fallout in Washington.

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The UK's attempts to get around key elements of the Withdrawal Agreement earlier this year were not received well by many Democrats in the US.

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Senior politicial figures including Mr Biden and House speaker Nancy Pelosi have warned Mr Johnson against allowing the Good Friday Agreement to become a casualty of Brexit talks.

Democratic Congressman in Massachusetts, Richard Neal, believes a Joe Biden administration would not be in favour of a trade deal with the UK if there was any threat to the Good Friday Agreement.

"I have always thought that America is a honest broker in international relations, particularly as it relates to Ireland and the UK. In fact, I think it's important to remember that the United States remains a guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

"We see it as a major accomplishment. Many of us where much involved in the deliberations and implementation. We do no anticipate letting it recede."

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