Biden informs King Charles of intentions to maintain close US-UK ties

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Sep 19:20

As King Charles succeeds his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Biden expresses willingness to maintain close relations with the UK.

King Charles III and US President Joe Biden

In the first phone call between US President Joe Biden and King Charles on Wednesday, Biden spoke of continuing to maintain close ties between the US and the UK following the death of Queen Elizabeth, according to a statement published by the White House.

"The President recalled fondly the Queen’s kindness and hospitality, including when she hosted him and the First Lady at Windsor Castle last June. He also conveyed the great admiration of the American people for the Queen, whose dignity and constancy deepened the enduring friendship and special relationship between the US and the UK. President Biden conveyed his wish to continue a close relationship with the King," the statement read.

After a 70-year-long rule, Queen Elizabeth died on Thursday at the age of 96. King Charles, her eldest son, succeeded to the throne immediately after her passing.

The relationship between the US and the UK, often dubbed the "Special Relationship", has for long been cemented in projects of rapid territorial and imperialist expansion.

Many countries around the world that were former colonies of the British empire are continuing to bear the brunt of imperialist aggressions initiated by the US and the UK.

In some instances, British and American forces have joined forces to continue their ongoing aggression on the Global South.

For example, on February 8 of this year, it was reported that the UK and the US continued their "amnesty" for terrorists in Syria as hundreds of terrorists in Syria have been released and accepted into US-controlled units.

Both countries have also provided tremendous military aid and support for Ukraine in efforts to combat rival power Russia.

The UK has committed a total of £3.8 billion ($4.6 billion) in humanitarian aid and grants for Ukraine, according to a government website.

While the US, since January 2021, has committed more than $13.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, according to the MoD website.

Both countries have also arranged for the extradition of Julian Assange and partook in a number of strategic operations such as using Poland as a 'logistical hub' for weapons and foreign mercenaries.

On March 8, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah accused both countries of having pushed Ukraine to war.

"Several European countries did not want things to reach this point in Ukraine," he said on the occasion of the Wounded Fighter Day in Lebanon.

"Washington reaffirmed daily that it would not send aircraft and troops to Ukraine despite pushing it to this tipping point [...] Ukrainian officials feel let down and disappointed, and Zelensky is now ready to discuss Moscow's demands," Sayyed Nasrallah added.

The US and the UK have also cooperated in provoking China when in late April this year, both countries pledged their military support for Taiwan.