This archive report was first published on 25 August 2019.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's first major international meeting since taking office in July was marked by a delicate balancing act at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, on August 24-26, 2019.
Johnson's meeting with US President Donald Trump was a key highlight of the summit, with the two leaders engaging in a breakfast discussion over veal sausages. Johnson expressed his desire to eliminate trade barriers between the UK and the US, citing the example of British beef, lamb, and pork pies being banned in the US market.
Trump responded by boasting of a potential 'very big trade deal' that would be 'bigger than we've ever had' and would be realized 'quickly.' He also made a jibe at the EU, saying that Britain 'won't have the anchor around their ankle' – a reference to the EU's influence over the UK.
Johnson also met with EU Council Chief Donald Tusk, who had exchanged barbs with Johnson over who would be known as 'Mr No Deal Brexit' in case Britain left the bloc without a deal on October 31. Despite the tension, Johnson and Tusk agreed on several international issues, including Hong Kong and Ukraine.
Johnson made it clear to Tusk that Britain wanted a deal but a new withdrawal agreement had to be negotiated, a position that the EU has so far resisted.
