Build tomorrow today, Brown urges US leaders; Congress urged to lead battle against recession.

Byline: BY ANDREW WOODCOCK Daily Post Correspondent

GORDON BROWN rounded off his two-day visit to the United States yesterday with an address to Congress in which he called on America to take a lead in the world's battle against recession and climate change.

The Prime Minister urged the US political elite to "seize the moment" by joining Britain and the rest of the world in international co-operation to tackle the economic crisis and "build tomorrow today".

He delivered a tough warning against protectionism, warning that erecting trade barriers would "protect no-one", while the revival of free trade could end the recession and lead to a doubling in the size of the world economy over the coming two decades.

And he said America's inventiveness and "faith in the future" should be turned to the problem of halting global warming, telling Congressmen: "The nation that had the vision to put a man on the moon is also the nation with the vision to protect and preserve our planet Earth."

Mr Brown's message received a mixed response. His 35-minute address was interrupted on 16 occasions by standing ovations, and he was applauded for almost two minutes as he left the chamber of the House of Representatives, shaking hands and signing copies of the speech.

But it was notable that Democrat Congressmen were more ready to cheer his appeals for action on banking reform, climate change and help for poorer nations. Many Republicans were slow to rise to their feet during passages on the economy, and some seemed reluctant to applaud his proposals for global co-operation on tackling the recession.

Watched by wife Sarah, the Prime Minister told Congressmen that countries in Europe and across the world were more ready than ever to work together with America.

And he told them that now, more than ever, the problems faced by the US are global in nature and can only be dealt with by co-ordinated international action.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "It is right to remind Americans that we need to work together against protectionism, in defeating terrorism and in combating climate change.

"What was missing was any sense of contrition for past mistakes and an ability to translate words into action."

CAPTION(S):

Gordon Brown addresses a joint session of Congress, watched by Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Picture: SUSAN WALSH