After uncertainty over whether they would meet, US president and Labour leader talk about corporations, technology and inequality

Jeremy Corbyn came face to face with Barack Obama on Saturday in what the Labour leader described as an “excellent” discussion.

Corbyn met with the US president for 90 minutes at the Royal Horticultural Halls in central London following his town hall event with hundreds of young people at the venue.

Obama has devoted much of his visit to the UK to tackling the issue of Britain’s EU-membership referendum. In a joint press conference with David Cameron on Friday, he gave his backing to the Remain campaign.

On Saturday, Obama visited the Globe theatre and held a Q&A session with young Londoners, fitting in his meeting with Corbyn before going on to play golf with the prime minister. Asked what they discussed, Corbyn said: “The challenges facing post-industrial societies and the power of global corporations and the increasing use of technology around the world and the effect that has.”

He said they also spoke about inequality and poverty. A spokesman said Corbyn and Obama agreed on the need for Britain’s continued membership of the EU.

Such a meeting between an American president and leader of the opposition would usually be routine during a trip to Britain stretching across three days. Labour officials could only say in the past few days they “hoped” to announce a get-together. But unlike other Labour leaders of recent years, Corbyn is no Atlanticist. His endorsement of socialist policies such as the public ownership of basic services and industries will have done little to endear him to Washington.

In February, Corbyn said Labour opposed “dangerous elements” in the negotiations for the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The secretive bilateral trade deal between the EU and US has been criticised for apparently putting corporate interests above national sovereignty.



Corbyn also opposes British military intervention in Syria. The meeting was announced as Obama said the US and Britain were ready to take action to stop the Islamic State securing a stronghold in Libya.

After the meeting, a Labour party spokesperson said: “Jeremy Corbyn met the US president, Barack Obama, today at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London. They discussed the power of global corporations, the impact of globalisation on working people, and the need to take action to reduce inequality across the world.

“They agreed on the case for Britain to remain a member of the European Union, and that there would be further contact between their teams to discuss measures to deal with international tax avoidance and evasion.”