Boris Johnson is the first European leader to get a phone call with new President Joe Biden and says they will focus on 'a green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19'

• e-mail

Boris Johnson spoke to new US President Joe Biden last night – and told him that his election represented a ‘moment of hope’ in a dark time.

The 35-minute call was the first made by the US President to a European leader since he entered the White House after it was brought forward by two days.

The news will be leapt on by No 10 as a sign that the ‘special relationship’ will be rekindled following the departure of Donald Trump – despite Biden removing a bust of Sir Winston Churchill after moving in to the Oval Office.

Boris Johnson said he 'looks forward to deepening the longstanding alliance' with the US after his

Mr Johnson said: 'Great to speak to President Joe Biden this evening'

No 10 said that the call, which the Prime Minister took in his Downing Street office, was ‘very warm, friendly and wide-ranging’, and included discussion of a post-Brexit trade deal and ‘green’ policy issues.

President Biden told Mr Johnson that he would sign up to the Government’s call for all new buildings to be ‘zero carbon’ by 2050.

Mr Johnson said in a message on Twitter that it was ‘great to speak to President @JoeBiden this evening. I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from Covid-19’.

The first meeting in person between the two men is expected to be at the G7 summit being hosted by Mr Johnson in Cornwall in June.

The Prime Minister spoke to the newly inaugurated US President this evening, a day after Mr Biden called Canada and Mexico's leaders

Mr Johnson emphasised the UK and US's shared goal of emphasising sustainable policies as the countries bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic

No 10 said that Mr Johnson had welcomed the ‘fantastic initial announcements from the Biden administration’.

The President signalled a break with Donald Trump’s administration by signing a flurry of executive orders during his first days in power last week, including halting funding for the construction of Trump’s border wall; reversing Trump’s travel ban targeting largely Muslim countries; imposing a mask mandate on federal property; ramping up vaccination supplies; and requiring international travellers to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test prior to travelling to the US.

Biden’s first call to a foreign leader as US President was with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday, and was then followed by a call to the Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

The President had been expected to start calling allies across the Atlantic on Monday.

Writing on his Twitter account this evening, Mr Johnson said he looks forward to continuing the US and UK's longstanding alliance after the phone call

Writing on his Twitter account this evening, Mr Johnson he looks forward to continuing the US and UK's longstanding alliance after the phone call

A Downing Street spokesman said of the Prime Minister: ‘He congratulated the President on his inauguration and the two leaders looked forward to deepening the close alliance between our nations.

‘The Prime Minister warmly welcomed the President’s decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate change, as well as the World Health Organisation and the Covax programme to ensure equitable access for vaccines. 

They noted the significant challenges facing the world during the pandemic, but also the unparalleled opportunities to build back better and greener together. 

The Prime Minister praised President Biden’s early action on tackling climate change and commitment to reach net zero by 2050.

Building on the UK and US’s long history of co-operation in security and defence, the leaders re-committed to the Nato alliance and our shared values in promoting human rights and protecting democracy.

‘They also discussed the benefits of a potential free trade deal between our two countries, and the Prime Minister reiterated his intention to resolve existing trade issues as soon as possible.

‘The leaders looked forward to meeting in person as soon as the circumstances allow, and to working together through the G7, G20 and Cop26 this year.’

In 2016, Theresa May was embarrassed to be 11th on President Trump’s call list after he won the election – behind the leaders of countries such as Egypt.