Trump speaks with Boris Johnson as UK leader recovers from coronavirus

President Trump on Tuesday spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was recently discharged from the hospital after being treated for the coronavirus.

The two leaders discussed global efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic as well as efforts to secure a trade agreement between the United States and United Kingdom, according to spokespeople from the White House and 10 Downing Street.

“The Prime Minister shared that he is feeling better and on the road to recovery,” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement. “President Trump and Prime Minister Johnson reaffirmed their close cooperation through the [Group of 7] G7 and [Group of 20] G20 to reopen global economies and ensure medical care and supplies reach all those in need.”

The two “also discussed bilateral and global issues, including our shared commitment to reaching a United States-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement,” Deere said.

Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of March and spent three nights in intensive care for treatment. At the time, Trump offered him well wishes and said that he spoke with U.S. drug companies about helping Johnson with potential treatments.

The U.K. prime minister was discharged from the hospital on April 12.

“I have today left hospital after a week in which the NHS has saved my life, no question,” Johnson said in a video message posted that day, referring to Britain’s National Health Service. “It’s hard to find words to express my debt.”

The virus has sickened more than 125,000 people in the U.K. and more than 788,000 in the U.S. Trump last month restricted travel to the U.S. from most of Europe, including the U.K., to help prevent the spread of the virus.

A spokesman for Downing Street said Tuesday that Johnson thanked Trump during the call “for his good wishes while he was unwell.”

“The leaders agreed on the importance of a coordinated international response to coronavirus, including through the G7 — which the US currently chairs,” the prime minister’s spokesman continued. “They also discussed continued UK-US cooperation in the fight against the pandemic. The leaders committed to continue working together to strengthen our bilateral relationship, including by signing a free trade agreement as soon as possible.” 

—Updated at 2:33 p.m.