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"The United Kingdom and the United States are the closest of
friends and Allies, and the special relationship between our
people remains strong and enduring," Biden said in a statement
many hours after Johnson announced his resignation.
"I look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the
government of the United Kingdom, as well as our Allies and
partners around the world, on a range of important priorities,"
Biden said.
That includes "maintaining a strong and united approach to
supporting the people of Ukraine," Biden said.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre noted Biden and
Johnson had met recently during the president's trip to Europe.
"They had a pretty friendly and close interaction," Jean-Pierre
told reporters. "We believe our alliance with the United Kingdom
will continue to be strong."
The two countries have had historically close ties, including
partnering in the U.S.-led Iraq invasion that was roundly
criticized. Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Johnson had
complementary nationalistic beliefs.
While president, Barack Obama urged British voters to support
staying in the European Union ahead of its "Brexit" referendum;
Johnson was one of the loudest voices pushing Britain to leave
the European Union.
A bilateral trade deal, once floated as a plum reward for Brexit
by Johnson and others, was a dead-end under Biden, who worked to
strengthen multilateral institutions.
(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Nandita Bose; Writing by Jeff
Mason and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Heather Timmons)
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