Obama did not name Johnson, but his remarks were a humiliating put-down for a man who is widely touted as a potential successor to Cameron, especially if voters do opt to leave the European Union in a June referendum.
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Barack Obama’s two-day visit could prove to be a critical moment in the lead-up to the Brexit vote after the US President spoke out in favour of continued United Kingdom membership of the European Union.
“But it’s not going to happen any time soon, because our focus is in negotiating with a big bloc, the European Union, to get a trade agreement done”.
“The U.K.is at its best helping to lead a strong Europe”, he added.
On Thursday. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman warned London that Washington would not be willing to make an individual trade deal with Britain. So they say, for example, that “well, we’ll just cut our own trade deals with the United States”.
A clearly delighted Prime Minister made clear the referendum was the “sovereign choice of the British people” but added: “It surely makes sense to listen to what our friends think, to listen to their opinion, to listen to their views and that’s what Barack has been talking about today”. “And speaking honestly, the outcome of that decision is a matter of deep interest to the United States, because it affects our prospects as well”.
“The United States sees how your powerful voice in Europe ensures that Europe takes a strong stance in the world, and keeps the European Union open, outward looking, and closely linked to its allies on the other side of the Atlantic”.
“The EU has helped to spread British values and practices across the continent. Americans want Britain’s influence to grow, including within Europe”. “And now, I’m thinking about leaving the organization that gives me access to that market, and that is responsible for millions of jobs in my country and responsible for an enormous amount of commerce and upon which a lot of businesses depend, that is not something I would probably do”.
A Sky News television survey found 57 per cent said Mr Obama’s intervention would make “no difference” to their vote.
The president said: “In democracies everybody should want more information, not less, and you shouldn’t be afraid to hear an argument being made – that’s not a threat, that should enhance the debate”. Only this week, leading Out campaigner Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary, insisted by exiting the EU Britain would be able to take control of trade negotiations and seal deals with the likes of America “more quickly”. From the ashes of war, those who came before us had the foresight to create the global institutions and initiatives to sustain a prosperous peace: “the United Nations and NATO; Bretton Woods, the Marshall Plan, and the European Union”.
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“Obama doesn’t have the authority to deny us a deal, as he will be long gone before any such proposals are on the table”. His joint press conference with Cameron hours later sparked a frenzy among politicians, campaigners and commentators. “Using that type of language does not reflect Britain’s standing in the world or the country we aspire to be”. Some Brexit supporter accused the U.S. president of being guilty of “wanton double-standards”, saying that he was asking the British people to do something he wouldn’t dream of asking Americans.
