LAST UPDATE | 21 Sep 2022
JOE BIDEN HAS told Liz Truss he is “looking forward to hearing what’s on your mind” about the row over the Northern Ireland Protocol, as he said the UK remains “our closest ally in the world”.
The British Prime Minister sought to reassure the US president by telling him in New York how she would be explaining how the Good Friday Agreement would be upheld.
The leaders made the remarks as they sat down to talks also centring on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis it has provoked.
Earlier in the day, Truss also discussed the post-Brexit agreement to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.
Truss is pushing ahead with the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol Bill which the EU and other critics say will breach international law by suspending elements of the agreement.
There have also been suggestions she could unilaterally trigger Article 16 of the protocol, to override parts of the agreement brokered as part of the Brexit divorce deal.
In opening marks at the top of their meeting, the US president told Truss: “We are both committed to protecting the Good Friday Agreement of Northern Ireland.
“And I’m looking forward to hearing what’s on your mind.”
The comments between the two leaders today came as Sinn Féin deputy leader said that there is a window of opportunity to resurrect the Stormont Assembly.
The powersharing government in Northern Ireland has been in flux since February as the DUP takes protest action against the Brexit Protocol.
Jeffrey Donaldson’s party is demanding action from the UK government before it will nominate new ministers to a fully functioning Executive.
The protocol was among topics talked about by Truss and European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen in New York today, which has been described as a “good discussion”.
Sinn Féin has insisted that the protocol is “here to stay”.
Party president Mary-Lou McDonald said there is “no alternative” to the protocol, adding “a lot of this is also about people holding their nerve”.
“We really hope that Liz Truss, as the incoming Prime Minister, will depart from the antics of her predecessor, Boris Johnson, who really played games with the protocol and with Irish unionism, almost a game of make believe that somehow you could wish change away when in fact you can’t,” she said.
Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill said she has sensed that there is a “window of opportunity”.
“I genuinely believe that people want to take that and find an agreed way forward,” she said.
“The protocol is here to stay, make it work within the framework of the protocol, ironed out the kinks but make it work and then let’s get back and around the Executive table and actually supporting people.”
Congratulations
Biden also congratulated Truss today on becoming Prime Minister, adding: “I look forward to working closely with you. You’re our closest ally in the world and there’s a lot we can continue to do together.”
Truss told the president the UK and the US are “steadfast allies” as she thanked him for his support following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“Of course I’m looking forward to discussing the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and how we make sure that’s upheld into the future,” she added.
Biden said their “full agenda” for the meeting includes Ukraine’s defence against Vladimir Putin’s invasion, China and preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
“We also want to talk about energy, which understandably is of significant consequence to all of Europe and the United Kingdom in particular,” he added.
Questions, including on the protocol, were posed to them by reporters as they were ushered out of the room for their meeting to begin.
Both leaders remained seated and silent, Biden with a straight face and Truss smiling.
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan made it clear Biden would discuss the protocol “in some detail” with Truss.
Sullivan told reporters the president “will encourage the UK and the European Union to work out an effective outcome that ensures there is no threat to the fundamental principles of the Good Friday Agreement”.
British ambassador to Washington Dame Karen Pierce said Truss would be explaining her plan for Northern Ireland to the president.
“I think the president and the Americans have some understanding that trade disruption is not helpful in the context of bringing communities together,” she told broadcasters.
Biden and Truss were meeting after the president sent a tweet just as the PM was discussing her economic policy, which said he was “sick and tired of trickle-down economics”.
“It has never worked,” he said.
The comments underlined the differences between the two leaders’ stances just as Truss says she wants to foster closer ties with international allies.
The British Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it was “ludicrous” to suggest Biden was criticising UK policy, arguing each country is facing different economic challenges.
Includes reporting by Press Association
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