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| Joe Biden downplays chances of UK-US trade deal | Joe Biden downplays chances of UK-US trade deal |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Joe Biden and Boris Johnson hold face-to-face talks | Joe Biden and Boris Johnson hold face-to-face talks |
| Joe Biden has downplayed the chances of brokering a post-Brexit free trade deal with the UK, as he held talks with Boris Johnson at the White House. | Joe Biden has downplayed the chances of brokering a post-Brexit free trade deal with the UK, as he held talks with Boris Johnson at the White House. |
| Downing Street said its priority was still getting a deal with the US alone. | Downing Street said its priority was still getting a deal with the US alone. |
| But the BBC understands that UK ministers are now considering joining an existing North American trade pact instead of pursuing a separate deal. | But the BBC understands that UK ministers are now considering joining an existing North American trade pact instead of pursuing a separate deal. |
| The UK and US leaders also discussed Afghanistan, security and climate change during the 90-minute meeting. | The UK and US leaders also discussed Afghanistan, security and climate change during the 90-minute meeting. |
| Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office before the meeting, Mr Biden said the pair would discuss trade "a little bit", adding: "We're going to have to work that through". | Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office before the meeting, Mr Biden said the pair would discuss trade "a little bit", adding: "We're going to have to work that through". |
| Mr Johnson earlier downplayed the chances of securing a trade deal with the US before the next general election. | Mr Johnson earlier downplayed the chances of securing a trade deal with the US before the next general election. |
| But during a joint appearance Vice President Kamala Harris, he told reporters there had been "real progress" on UK-US talks. | But during a joint appearance Vice President Kamala Harris, he told reporters there had been "real progress" on UK-US talks. |
| Joe Biden urges unity amid tensions with allies | Joe Biden urges unity amid tensions with allies |
| Biden meets Boris: Shared interests but bumps remain | |
| A source familiar with the government's thinking suggested to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg that the UK could negotiate entry into an existing trade arrangement between the US, Canada and Mexico - known as the USMCA - set up after former US President Donald Trump tore up its predecessor, NAFTA. | A source familiar with the government's thinking suggested to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg that the UK could negotiate entry into an existing trade arrangement between the US, Canada and Mexico - known as the USMCA - set up after former US President Donald Trump tore up its predecessor, NAFTA. |
| "There are a variety of different ways to do this," the source said. | "There are a variety of different ways to do this," the source said. |
| "The question is whether the US administration is ready. The ball is in the US's court. It takes two to tango." | "The question is whether the US administration is ready. The ball is in the US's court. It takes two to tango." |
| Mr Johnson said there had been "real progress" on trade negotiations as he met US Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington DC | Mr Johnson said there had been "real progress" on trade negotiations as he met US Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington DC |
| Mr Johnson and Mr Biden said all diplomatic and humanitarian methods must be used to stop conditions getting worse in Afghanistan. | Mr Johnson and Mr Biden said all diplomatic and humanitarian methods must be used to stop conditions getting worse in Afghanistan. |
| Officials said they agreed that any international recognition of the Taliban must be contingent on the group respecting human rights. | Officials said they agreed that any international recognition of the Taliban must be contingent on the group respecting human rights. |
| Mr Biden also issued a fresh warning to the UK that peace in Northern Ireland must not be jeopardised as a result of the complications caused by Brexit - although a Downing Street source has said the issue was not raised in their private discussions. | Mr Biden also issued a fresh warning to the UK that peace in Northern Ireland must not be jeopardised as a result of the complications caused by Brexit - although a Downing Street source has said the issue was not raised in their private discussions. |
| Mr Biden made it clear he has concerns about the Irish border, a point of tension between the White House, and No 10, amid continuing issues with Northern Ireland Protocol - the post-Brexit trade arrangements involving Northern Ireland. | Mr Biden made it clear he has concerns about the Irish border, a point of tension between the White House, and No 10, amid continuing issues with Northern Ireland Protocol - the post-Brexit trade arrangements involving Northern Ireland. |
| "On the protocols, I feel very strongly about those. We spent an enormous amount of time and effort, in the United States, it was a major bipartisan effort made." | "On the protocols, I feel very strongly about those. We spent an enormous amount of time and effort, in the United States, it was a major bipartisan effort made." |
| Mr Johnson said "that's absolutely right", adding: "On that point, Joe, we're completely at one, nobody wants to see anything that interrupts or unbalances the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement." | Mr Johnson said "that's absolutely right", adding: "On that point, Joe, we're completely at one, nobody wants to see anything that interrupts or unbalances the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement." |
| The meeting between Mr Johnson and Mr Biden is the second time they have met in person, with the first being at the G7 summit in Cornwall earlier this year. | The meeting between Mr Johnson and Mr Biden is the second time they have met in person, with the first being at the G7 summit in Cornwall earlier this year. |
| And it comes ahead of a third face-to-face meeting in Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit in November. | And it comes ahead of a third face-to-face meeting in Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit in November. |
| The event, which will see global leaders gather to discuss the issue, is seen as a crucial moment to bring climate change under control. | The event, which will see global leaders gather to discuss the issue, is seen as a crucial moment to bring climate change under control. |
| Earlier, Mr Biden announced the US would double its climate finance pledge and increase funding for developing countries to $11.4bn (£8.3bn) by 2024. | Earlier, Mr Biden announced the US would double its climate finance pledge and increase funding for developing countries to $11.4bn (£8.3bn) by 2024. |
| Mr Johnson said the US had "stepped up to the plate" with what he called a "massive contribution" towards the $100bn goal for countries to raise. | Mr Johnson said the US had "stepped up to the plate" with what he called a "massive contribution" towards the $100bn goal for countries to raise. |
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