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Joe Biden win may impact Brexit trade talks, says Coveney

Joe Biden win may impact Brexit trade talks, says Coveney

Thomson Reuters

Joe Biden's election victory may have an impact on a crucial week of British-European Union trade talks after the US president-elect's recent intervention in support of Ireland's position, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said on Monday.

"I think perhaps it does [make a difference]. Joe Biden is a real friend of Ireland, he is somebody who in the middle of this campaign has taken the time to make a very clear statement on the need to prevent a hard border at any point in the future linked to Brexit policy," Mr Coveney told RTÉ.

"The relationship between Donald Trump and Boris Johnson was a close one and there was a lot of talk about a US/UK trade deal happening quickly," he said.

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"Now that Joe Biden is going to be the next president, I certainly think that will be a cause for a pause for thought in Number 10 [Downing Street] to ensure Irish issues are prioritised as we try to close out this phase."

Talks resume in London on Monday on a post-Brexit trade deal, with Downing Street saying that "significant differences remain between the two sides".

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