Biden: I’m backing Ireland in Brexit stand-off
White House defends good Friday accord
JOE Biden is “unequivocal” in his support for Ireland in the Brexit trade deal stand-off, the White House has said.
The US President is a proud Irishamerican and insists the Good Friday Agreement must be upheld as the UK-EU trade dispute deepens.
It comes as Britain unilaterally extended the grace period for checks on goods entering the North from Britain.
Brussels has insisted this is in breach of international law and the post-brexit trade deal.
EU sources said legal action now seems inevitable unless London scales back.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki responded: “President Biden has been unequivocal about his support for the Good Friday Agreement.
“It has been the bedrock of peace, stability and prosperity for all the people of Northern Ireland.
“We also welcome co-operation between our British and Irish partners on the Northern Irish
Protocol and the recent strong statements on these governments’ full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement.”
Foreign Minister Simon Coveney’s tone hardened when he said the British now “simply cannot be trusted” following their unilateral act.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has provoked a reaction from Washington with his move and the issue was raised directly by the Irish Times in the daily
White House briefing on Thursday night.
The DUP, which campaigned for Brexit, has been most vocal in its opposition to the protocol which it says has created trading barriers with
its biggest market. The UK’S stance appears to have hardened since Monday when ardent brexiteer Lord Frost replaced Michael Gove as the head of Britain’s relations with Brussels.
While Mr Gove and his opposite number Maros Sefcovic were said to enjoy a warm rapport, Frost has adopted a more belligerent tone.
Meanwhile, Mr Biden’s spokeswoman was also asked about the ongoing preparations for a virtual St Patrick’s Day meeting between President Biden and Taoiseach Micheal Martin in just under two weeks’ time.
She said: “The President has a special place in his heart for the Irish, as do I, and I expect certainly that we will have more details to share soon given, as you said, it is two weeks away.
“Of course, any recognition of St Patrick’s Day would look different from past years but we will certainly mark the day and will have more to say on it as we get closer.”