The French are still unhappy with Biden, but at least Boris Johnson likes him
President Biden might still be on France's bad side, but at least another western ally had some nice things to say about him.
During an interview with Savannah Guthrie of NBC's Today, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called working with Biden "a breath of fresh air," particularly on one specific issue.
The U.S. president and U.K. prime minister are "fated to get along," Johnson told Guthrie, "but what I will say about Joe Biden and dealing with the new American president, yes, it is a breath of fresh air in the sense of [the] things on which we can really, really work together."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
More specifically, "climate change — he's great on that," Johnson said.
Meanwhile, however, former French ambassador to the U.S. Gérard Araud told the New Republic that Biden is a "big disappointment all over Europe" because of his lack of European policy.
"[Former President Barack Obama] didn't care about Europe. [Former President Donald Trump] was hostile to Europe. And here you have Biden. And Biden, to be frank so far, is a big disappointment all over Europe," asserted Araud. "The administration has no European policy. ... There are a lot of issues, and we should work together. And frankly there has been no reaction from the U.S. administration," he added.
Of the controversial U.S. nuclear submarine deal with the U.K. and Australia — the object of French's scorn — Araud said he believes the "Americans had totally underestimated the seriousness of what they were doing, and that, in the eyes of the French, the partnership was seen as a "strategic defeat inflicted by the U.S. in the most devious way."
"You don't do that to an ally," Araud argued. Read more at the New Republic and Today.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
The pros and cons of globalization
Pros and Cons Globalization can promote economic prosperity but also be exploitative
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - October 11, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - October 11, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - October 11, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - October 11, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Biden, Harris visit storm-hit North Carolina, Georgia
Speed Read President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took separate tours of the south to view the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Jack Smith filing details Jan. 6 case against Trump
Speed Read The special counsel's newly unsealed brief argues Trump is not immune from prosecution and gives new details on his efforts to overturn the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
All the presidential assassination attempts
In Depth American history is full of efforts to kill sitting and former presidents
By David Faris Published
-
Biden gives final UN speech, vows 'things can get better'
Speed Read President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations General Assembly for the last time
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump assassination attempt: do former presidents need more protection?
Today's Big Question Secret Service director says 'paradigm shift' needed after second Trump attack sparks calls for more resources
By The Week UK Published
-
What has Kamala Harris done as vice president?
In Depth It's not uncommon for the second-in-command to struggle to prove themselves in a role largely defined by behind-the-scenes work
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published