PRIME Minister Gordon Brown flew to America last night for a meeting with Barack Obama, at which he hopes to secure the US President’s agreement on international action to tackle the global economic downturn.
Mr Brown is the first European leader to be invited to the White House following Mr Obama’s inauguration, and he sees today’s meeting as a vital springboard for the all-important G20 summit of the world’s major economies in London, in April.
After a week of wooing his European counterparts, Mr Brown hopes he can persuade President Obama to join in a united front at the G20 in favour of concerted action to stimulate the global economy, oppose protectionism, revive lending and create “green” jobs.
And the two leaders will also discuss the situation in Afghanistan, where Mr Obama is planning to send 17,000 extra US troops and has appealed for more help from Nato allies. It is thought unlikely that Mr Brown will announce any increase in Britain’s 8,300-strong contingent.
