1. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcoming US Vice-President Mike Pence to Number 10, Downing Street
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London - 5 September 2019
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2. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence walking into room UPSOUND (English) Johnson: "Vice President, have a seat. Thank you so much. Well it's fantastic to welcome you to No. 10 Mr Vice President, great to have you here. I had an absolutely wonderful time at the G7 and with President Trump talking about all the things that we were trying to do together, free trade, all that. And hope very much to take that forward today in our discussions.
Pence: Well Mr Prime Minister thank you for such a warm welcome.
Johnson: Absolutely, great to see you again.
Pence: I know it's a very busy time here in the United Kingdom.
Johnson: Always busy.
Pence: I'm grateful for your hospitality. I spoke to President Trump this morning, your friend and he asked me to send you his very best greetings and to assure you that the United States supports the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, but he also wanted me to convey that the United States is ready, willing and able to immediately negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK.
Johnson: Fantastic.
Pence: The President often says that the United States has the biggest economy in the world and we truly believe that a free trade agreement between the United States and the UK could increase trade between our countries by three or four times. We're anxious to do that. We're anxious to stand with you and to do everything in our power to strengthen what has been a historic and special relationship between the United States of America and the United Kingdom. And it is embodied in the very warm and personal relationship that you have forged with President Trump, with myself and with our administration and I'm truly honored to be here.
Johnson: Fantastic to have you here and we will drive that free trade agreement forward of course.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence strolled into the Brexit fury as he met with embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Wrapping up a week in Europe, Pence thanked Johnson for the welcome "at a very busy time here in the United Kingdom."
Johnson downplayed the Brexit drama, saying it's "always busy."
Pence delivered greetings from President Donald Trump and said Trump has asked him to assure Johnson that the U.S. "supports the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union" and "is ready, willing and able to immediately negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK"
Johnson replied that was "fantastic."
He expressed hope for the removal of trade barriers on British products including lamb, beef and haggis, a Scottish delicacy made with the stomachs of sheep.
Johnson has been pushing for an early election as a way to break Britain's Brexit impasse, as lawmakers try to stop the UK from leaving the European Union next month without an exit deal in place.
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