Who is Woody Johnson? Meet Donald Trump’s new US ambassador to the UK

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Meet Woody Johnson, the new US ambassador to the UK

Mr Johnson is a key diplomat for Britain to win over as the UK seeks a quick post-Brexit trade deal with Donald Trump’s America.

The NFL team owner, 69, initially supported Jeb Bush in the Republican race but later switched his allegiance to Mr Trump.

The businessman and philanthropist is thought to have been a major fundraiser for Mr Trump’s team in the final leg of his campaign.

Mr Johnson was the heir to a pharmaceutical and shampoo fortune because his father was president of the pharma giant Johnson & Johnson.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will try to forge a close relationship with the US ambassador to make sure that America and the UK remain close allies.

Mr Trump has said that America wants to quickly strike a trade deal with the UK, even though he has slammed America’s other free trade deals.

Despite the new US Presidents’ protectionist approach to trade, he is a bigger supporter of Brexit and says it will be a “great” opportunity.

Mr Trump sparked controversy by suggesting that former Ukip leader Nigel Farage should be UK ambassador to the US.

"Many people would like to see @Nigel_Farage represent Great Britain as their Ambassador to the United States. He would do a great job!", he tweeted.

Boris Johnson rejected the idea, adding: "We have a first-rate ambassador in Washington doing a very good job of relating both with the present administration and with the administration to be, and there is no vacancy for that position."

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Kim Darroch took up the role of UK ambassador to the US in January 2016 and has three decades of diplomatic experience.

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