Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what engagement they have had with President-elect Biden's transition team on UK–US joint priorities.

Since President Biden's inauguration, the UK Government has engaged extensively with the new Administration at all levels of government on our joint priorities. The Prime Minister spoke with President Biden on 23 January, where they looked forward to deepening the close alliance between our nations. They noted the significant challenges facing the world during the pandemic, but also the unparalleled opportunities to build back better and greener together. The Foreign Secretary spoke with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on 27 January where they spoke of the same priorities and the need to promote open societies and an international system based on the rule of law and human rights. He also spoke to the new National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, on 22 January where they looked forward to working together to deliver on our shared foreign and security priorities. The Defence Secretary, the Chancellor, and the President for COP 26 have also spoken to their counterparts in the new Administration on our priorities.