Panicking No 10 dumps Donald Trump and woos Joe Biden

[kpete]

Ministers have been told to forge links with the White House frontrunner Joe Biden after “writing off” Donald Trump’s chances of re-election, amid fears that the UK could be left out in the cold if the former vice-president wins.

Boris Johnson has been warned that Trump is on course for a landslide defeat with his Democratic opponents set to land a historic “triple whammy” by seizing control of the presidency, the Senate and the House of Representatives.


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/panicking-no-10-dumps-donald-trump-and-woos-joe-biden-llg7llg8c

[Chili]

1. no need for them to fear Biden would shun the UK

No way.

[hlthe2b]

2. In other news, Brits also on track with that fabulous "NO DEAL" BREXIT.

Not meaning to rub it in, my lovely Brit friends, but damn, I'm not really thinking Boris and his ilk have learned a whole lot. But, maybe, just maybe...

[yellowcanine]

3. Sorry Boris but if you force the U.S to choose between the UK

and the EU we will go with the EU.

[Laelth]

6. I would not count on that. n/t

-Laelth

[paleotn]

11. I would....

Far bigger and better strategic partner. No offense, but without the EU, Great Britain is Canada or Australia. Insignificant in 21st century, great power politics.

[Laelth]

13. The EU has more economic power, yes.

But the Five Eyes (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) is probably the greatest and the strongest alliance in the history of the planet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Eyes

I don’t see us betraying the UK. Not gonna happen.

-Laelth

[paleotn]

21. Not without the US

Without the United States the five eyes are a mere shell of a former empire. We're the super sized member who actually gives global heft to the arrangement. And given recent events, reassessing our relationship isn't betraying. If anything, the UK is betraying us and their continental allies. All because some conservative Brits think it's still the 1890's and the sun never sets on them. The sun set on them a long time ago.

[BComplex]

23. I agree, Laelth. The USA and GB have a stronger alliance than many people realize.

And who in the hell would dis Canada? They're what most liberal Americans aspire to.

[paleotn]

28. Ugh. Sorry, not dissing Canada...

Wonderful country that's a short 50 minute jaunt from where I'm typing this. But when it comes to a geopolitical and economic struggle with an aggressive Russian Federation or the Peoples Republic of China, the 448 million folks in the EU together bring a bit more heft to the issue than 38 million Canadians. Canada is welcome to join. But their assistance, while welcome, isn't going to move the geopolitical needle very much. Nor is a post brexit, economically depressed UK. My realism sometimes can be misconstrued for dissing I suppose.

[BComplex]

31. I see what you meant.

Makes more sense to me now.

[okaawhatever]

19. Considering the UK is housing some of our nukes...nt

[paleotn]

20. To their own benefit....

and anything less than a total break in relations isn't going to change that. But the special relationship will need to be reexamined, given their current government's penchant to side with what's strategically better for the Kremlin verses what's good for the west in general, all cloaked with this foolish idea that they're protecting their sovereignty and "standing on their own 2 feet" economically. Yea, right. In my mind, the UK needs to finally come to grips with the fact that economically and militarily they're no more relevant without EU membership than Australia with respect to the global strategic balance. Haven't been since the 1940's. Maybe since 1918. Tough pill to swallow for a former empire, but the operative word here is former. Way former.

[gembaby1]

26. American ugliness rears it's arrogant head.

Don't worry, as Canadians, we always understand what you truly think of us.

I have a feeling that Australia and New Zealand have always known the score for a while too.

Poor Britain, it's been in league with you post WWII on almost every decision you've made and now it's going to find out just how 'important' it really is to you. Maybe they already have.

Oh well, that's realpolitik for you. I just think we should have nothing to do with that five eyes bullshit. Since we mean so little to you, I really think we need to stop being your bitches.

[paleotn]

27. Nice strawmen you've got there...

Let me know when you're tired of beating them.

[gembaby1]

29. Let me know when you make any progress with us....

Because right now we are truly pissed.

[paleotn]

30. Sorry, you're pissed. But exactly who is "we"?

[Layzeebeaver]

15. Boris is not in any position to force a zero sum choice

Plus, it's not a hero sum game in the first place. All parties can benefit from a constructive treaty relationship.

[FM123]

4. When he sees that Boris Johnson (and even Putin) are getting ready for a sit down with Joe

Trumpy knows the end is near.....

[KS Toronado]

9. I question if Putin is looking forward to a face to face with Biden.

[FM123]

10. Yep, I don't think he is looking forward to it....

But he does seem to be readying himself for that inevitability.
https://www.newsweek.com/vladimir-putin-says-wants-work-joe-biden-claims-shared-values-between-democrats-communism-1537501

[moondust]

12. He's definitely not.

Like Hillary, Joe was part of the (competent) administration that had allies and didn't allow Pooty to do whatever he wants without consequences.

[paleotn]

22. Um, no. He's not.

The economic pinch they're about to get will be painful and long lasting. Just punishment for a bad actor.

[LizBeth]

5. What a way to wake up in the morning, almost as good as coffee. Let it be.

[Azathoth]

7. UK wouldn't be in the cold, only Boris's government

Boris is the bumbling, less offensive British counterpart to Trump's xenophobic ethnonationalism.

[paleotn]

8. Of course, Boris cozied up to Trump

They both serve the same master.

My advice, as though anyone wanted it, is dump brexit, Boris, or the special relationship gets put away on the top shelf and you and Britain are left out in the cold.

[BComplex]

24. There's a lot of evidence that Boris was swept into power by the same Putin that swept trump

out of the dirty ashtray and into the white house.

[RockRaven]

14. Pound sand, Boris. You aligned yourself with the devil and you can pay the price for that.

Enjoy your Brexit and all the garbage that is coming with it.

[BobTheSubgenius]

16. Very encouraging, and all...

...but I can't believe Joe's chances are only 70%. Are they being cautious, or, hopefully, over-cautious? Drumpf allegedly having something in the area of a 30% chance does not leave me at all sanguine.

I have to think that manatee in a baggy suit has far less chance than that.

[mwooldri]

17. Would Biden uphold Obama's statement about Brexit?

I can't remember the exact words but "back of the queue" comes to mind.

[Denzil_DC]

25. The sticking point will be what happens with Northern Ireland.

Anything that contravenes or puts at risk the Good Friday Agreement will already mean any US-UK trade deal will be a non-starter, according to public statements from Pelosi and the not inconsiderable Irish-American lobby within Congress.

Can't see Biden working against that.

[chriscan64]

18. It will be part of once again engaging with our allies once Trump is gone.

Sticking it to our allies is a uniquely Trump move, even when conservatives try to get them to go along with something stupid, at least they maintain the relationships.