‘ UKwellplacedwith theUSifBidenwins’

Backroom talks held with Democrats

ECONOMY: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab insisted the Government is “exceptionally well placed” to have a good relationship with the US if Joe Biden beats Donald Trump in the presidential election.

Many Americans believe the election is make or break for the US, regardless of whether they back Mr Trump or Mr Biden.

FOREIGN Secretary Dominic Raab insisted the Government is “exceptionally well placed” to have a good relationship with the US if Joe Biden beats Donald Trump in the presidential election.

With passions at fever pitch, many Americans believe the November 3 election is make or break for the US, regardless of whether they back Mr Trump or Mr Biden.

But whether the Republican business tycoon remains in the White House or if his Democratic challenger ousts him will also have a profound effect on the rest of the world, including the UK.

The “special relationship” with the US is more important than ever after Brexit, but it is by no means the only major issue at play when America votes.

Boris Johnson has a firm relationship with the president, with a certain amount of mutual admiration between the pair.

But there can be no doubt that Mr Trump is a tough man to deal with on the world stage and the departure of his mercurial attitude to foreign policy would be welcomed by some.

Lord Darroch, a former British

ambassador to the US, has predicted the pair’s bond could grow even closer if Mr Trump wins a second term, saying: “Boris can be his best friend in Europe.”

With Mr Biden, on the other hand, the Prime Minister may have less of a natural ally and the UK will need to rapidly court him with fears he could favour closer ties with other European powers.

Mr Biden has already expressed concern at the Government’s Brexit legislation with the UK Internal Market Bill. He also treasures his Irish heritage and has warned that a UK- US trade deal is “contingent” on respect for the Good Friday Agreement and the prevention of a return to a hard border.

Downing Street is said to have been reviewing private polling which showed that Biden is on track to win by a landslide, leading Mr Johnson to increase communication with the Biden camp.

Mr Raab is said to be conducting backroom talks with the Democrat team, along with the UK’s ambassador to the US, Karen Pierce.

Over recent months they have met with House speaker Nancy Pelosi and foreign policy advisers Tony Blinken and Jake Sullivan.

Mr Raab told BBC Radio 4’ s Today programme: “One thing I’m absolutely confident of – I was in the US recently and contrary to some of the reporting, whenever I’ve been out there in the last year or so since I’ve been Foreign Secretary – we have conversions on both sides of the political divides, is that we’re exceptionally well placed... to make sure that whoever is in the White House that the relationship between Britain and the United States will thrive.”