BEIJING-The two-day visit to Washington has been heavy for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown as
he attempts to improve ties with Washington and promote his international image ahead of the upcoming G-20
economic summit in London.
Special Relationship
      Brown had been praising the "special relationship" between Britain and the United States before he traveled
to Washington. "There is no international partnership in recent history that has served the world better than
the special relationship between Britain and the United States," Brown said in an article in The Sunday Times
of London. Such enthusiasm was quickly responded by Barak Obama, the new leader of the world's largest
economy. "The special relationship between the United States and Great Britain is one that is not just important
to me, it is important to the American people," told reporters after meeting with Brown. 
      Brown was the first European leader to meet Obama at the White House, and this might help the British
leader make his image smooth among countrymen in a turbulent (动荡) time and put him in a better position to
appear side by side with Obama at the April G-20 summit that will consider the international economic crisis.
Global New Deal
      The talks between Brown and Obama were expected to focus mainly on measures to jump-start
international economic growth in the most serious downturn in decades. Brown will first promote his "goal
new deal" with Obama before taking the G-20 talks. The prime minister, who is chairing the G-20 gathering,
has said he would push for deep adjustable changes and joint efforts from all of the world's major economies,
developed and developing, to correct financial rules and inspire the global economy.
      However, as pointed out by many analysts, there is the potential for bitterness between Britain and the
United States. That's because no small number of Britons believe themselves to be victims of a crisis which
they say was set off by the United States. Meanwhile, analysts say it was unrealistic to expect another
honeymoon for British-US ties as Obama seems to have attached more importance to the Pacific region than
to Europe.