British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has warned US President-elect Barack Obama not to adopt a policy of trade protectionism as a way out of the global financial crisis.
Mr Brown is due to meet Mr Obama at an economic summit attended by world leaders in Washington later this week.
But in a major foreign policy speech in London last night, Mr Brown said it was vital countries did not retreat into isolationism in the face of the global downturn.
Tony Blair was criticised by British voters for his close relationship with President George W Bush but Mr Brown sees the future US President as central to his attempts to solve the global financial crisis.
In a speech at London's Guildhall, Mr Brown urged greater international cooperation in reaching agreement on a trade deal.
But he also warned the US against what he described as beggar thy neighbour protectionism which, he said, would turn the financial crisis into a deep recession.
However if there are any future strains in the Anglo-American relationship under the new president, they are more likely to arise over Mr Obama's desire to see Britain commit more troops to Afghanistan.
