In a historic day of geo-political bloodbath, Britain on Friday chose to leave the European Union after a majority of 52 percent voted in its favour in a referendum on Thursday, severing a tie since 1973, thus forcing Prime Minister David Cameron who had put his neck on the line by an aggressive pro-EU campaign, to resign.
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Vice President Biden on Friday lamented the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, but said that the US respects the stunning “Brexit” vote.
In his first public reaction to the vote, Obama said the people of the United Kingdom had spoken and that the US would respect the vote.
Obama assured the United Kingdom and USA will manage to maintain their “special relationship” despite Britain’s vote to quit the European Union.
“The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom’s membership in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation remains a vital cornerstone of U.S. foreign, security and economic policy. And I think that a lot of people don’t like him and I think if he had not said it, I think your result might have been different”, he said.
USA leaders have long voiced concern about what a Brexit could mean for the economy at home.
Trump said “the whole world is more peaceful and stable when our two countries – and our two peoples – are united together, as they will be under a Trump administration”. The president also argued that British businesses would take a hit, noting that the United States would continue to prioritize a free trade deal with the European Union and would be in no hurry to start negotiating a free trade deal with Britain.
In another statement, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said the U.S. will work closely with both London and Brussels and worldwide partners to ensure continued economic stability, security and prosperity in Europe and beyond. “You see it with Europe, all over Europe”, Trump, 70, said in Turnberry, Scotland.
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The World Trade Organisation also said it was prepared to help Britain after the vote to leave the bloc. But he tried to call for global stability in spite of the shocking vote.
