Joe Biden pledges 'the US is back' as he lands in UK ahead of talks with Boris Johnson and G7 summit
ITV News Political Correspondent Libby Wiener looks ahead to the Biden/Johnson meeting on Thursday, and what's on the cards
Joe Biden has landed in the UK ahead of a meeting with Boris Johnson on his first overseas trip as US president, pledging the visit should show that "the United States is back".
The president and First Lady Dr Jill Biden are visiting RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, home to the 100th Air Refuelling Wing, before heading on to Cornwall for the G7 summit.
"At every point along the way we are going to make it clear that the United States is back and democracies of the world are standing together to tackle the toughest challenges and the issues that matter most to our future," Mr Biden said.
Libby Wiener has analysis of Mr Biden's first speech on British soil as president:
In his speech to troops, Mr Biden quipped that he forgets he is the President - after telling servicemen and women to stand "at ease" having already started his speech.
Mr Biden will warn Boris Johnson and the European Union not to “imperil” the Northern Ireland peace process, the US president’s national security adviser said, as they struggle to resolve a trade row.
The president will also use the visit to strengthen ties with allies at the G7 summit on Friday and join efforts to agree a strategy to vaccinate the world against coronavirus.
'I keep forgetting I'm president': President Joe Biden jokes with US troops as he makes his first overseas trip
Biden, Brexit, and Boris Johnson's response
Ahead of the talks with Mr Johnson, Jake Sullivan warned that the president harbours "very deep" concerns on the issue provoked by Brexit.
Mr Sullivan said the president believes the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol is "critical" to ensuring that the Good Friday Agreement is protected, as Britain and the EU try to resolve the issue of checks in the Irish Sea.
The president will also use the visit to strengthen ties with allies at the G7 summit on Friday and join efforts to agree a strategy to vaccinate the world against coronavirus.
Boris Johnson has said he is "not worried" about the prospect of the summit being overshadowed by the row with the EU.
Asked about Mr Sullivan’s warning, Mr Johnson told reporters in Cornwall that he was "very, very optimistic" about the situation and said a solution is "easily doable".
Mr Biden has promised the meeting with the Mr Johnson would "affirm the special relationship between our nations".
It emerged this week, however, that the PM is not a fan of the expression - an American magazine reported he told aides he does not like the seemingly "needy and weak" term.
Downing Street said he "prefers not to use the phrase" and is instead intent on fostering a "close relationship" with Washington.
The First couple are on an eight-day tour of Europe.
Having succeeded Donald Trump after his single fractious term in the White House, Mr Biden said the trip – which also takes in a Nato meeting and talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin – was aimed at smoothing relations with allies which had been strained under his predecessor.
He told reporters the aim was "strengthening the alliance, making it clear to Putin and China that Europe and the United States are tight".
After the G7 summit ends, the president and first lady will meet the Queen at Windsor Castle.
Mr Biden will then depart for Brussels and later Geneva in Switzerland.