Told you so! Boris Johnson visits EU to REVEL in Donald Trump call for FAST UK trade deal
BORIS JOHNSON has welcomed Donald Trump's call for a quick UK-US trade deal, describing it as “very good news”.
Johnson: It's very good Trump wants trade deal with UK
In his first UK interview since winning November’s election, the president-elect promised to work quickly with Britain to secure a “quick and proper” trade deal after Brexit.
The call has been echoed by the Foreign Secretary who said it was in the countries’ mutual interests moving forward.
Speaking to reporters as he arrived at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Boris Johnson lauded Mr Trump’s announcement.
It's very good news that the United States of America wants to do a good free trade deal with us
He said: “It's very good news that the United States of America wants to do a good free trade deal with us and wants to do it very fast and it's great to hear that from president-elect Donald Trump.”
Mr Johnson, a leading Brexit campaigner, said he was sure any deal would benefit both countries.
“Clearly it'll have to be a deal that's very much in the interests of both sides but I've no doubt that it will be,” he added.
Outgoing president Barack Obama previously warned Britain would be at the “back of the queue” if the country voted to quit the European Union.
The tune has since changed since the Republican’s shock victory over rival Hilary Clinton.
Speaking to prominent Leave campaigner Michael Gove in an interview with The Times, Mr Trump said he believed Brexit was a “great thing”.
"Countries want their own identity and the UK wanted its own identity," he said.
"I do think if they hadn't been forced to take in all of the refugees than you wouldn't have a Brexit."
Mr Trump, who will be inaugurated as America’s 45th president on Friday, continued: "Trump said Brexit is going to happen, and it happened. Everybody thought I was crazy.
"Obama said, 'They'll go to the back of the line,' and then he had to retract his statement."
The billionaire’s remarks will come as a huge boost to Theresa May ahead of her major speech on Brexit on Tuesday.
The prime minister is expected to confirm Britain will quit the single market citing the end of free movement, a key issue for many on the Leave side.
Mrs May is also expected to call on those on both sides of the argument to come together to make Brexit a success.