“There is no formal link in the trade talks between the US and the UK and the Northern Ireland Protocol, as we have said, but efforts to undo the Northern Ireland Protocol will not create an enabling environment,” the White House spokeswoman said Karine Jean- said Pierre. On Tuesday, the White House said Joe Biden and Ms Truss “discussed their shared commitment to protecting the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and the importance of reaching a negotiated agreement with the European Union on the Northern Protocol of Ireland”. The two leaders could meet immediately after the UN General Assembly later in September. Mr Biden, who often speaks proudly of his Irish roots, has insisted Britain should do nothing to jeopardize a quarter of a century of peace in Northern Ireland. As foreign secretary, Ms Truss introduced legislation to unilaterally ignore the terms of the protocol, which was part of Britain’s withdrawal agreement from the European Union. On Wednesday, he told the House of Commons that he preferred to negotiate with the EU to resolve the issues the protocol has caused with trade and the functioning of the Northern Ireland executive. But he warned that any solution would have to deliver “all the things we set out in the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill”. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he took “heart” from Mr Truss’s remarks and that the EU was ready to be flexible and responsive. Steve Baker, left, was controversially appointed to the Northern Ireland Office (AFP/Getty) Mr Martin thanked Mr Biden for his support for the Belfast Agreement, saying “his interest was genuine and I welcome it”. Despite conciliatory tones in Dublin and Westminster, many in Ulster were disturbed by Ms Truss’ appointment of arch-Brexite Steve Baker as minister at the Northern Ireland Office. The decision was described as “disgusting” and a “red flag” by SDLP MP Claire Hanna, who said Ms Truss appeared to be “continuing down the diplomatically ignorant path of her predecessor”. Mr Baker, who orchestrated the Brexiteer rebellion that eventually toppled Theresa May, described the protocol as a “thorn in the relationship between us and Ireland” and backed Ms Truss’ legislation to undermine it. Former Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith congratulated Mr Baker on his new role. He urged the new minister to work with Chris Heaton-Harris – who now leads the department – to “urgently push for a compromise deal” with the EU to deliver a revised protocol and restore devolution in Northern Ireland.
