LONDON: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to meet with US President Joe Biden in Washington next week, according to an announcement made by Downing Street on Tuesday.
The meeting comes after Biden extended an invitation to Sunak during the British leader’s visit to San Diego in March for the launch of a nuclear submarine deal with Australia.
The upcoming talks between Sunak and Biden will focus on strengthening cooperation in economic challenges, including discussions on supply chain security and the transition to a net-zero economy. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to address the ongoing support for Ukraine, a cause that both leaders have been actively engaged in.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, Sunak has maintained the UK’s unwavering support for Kyiv. He recently announced the supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine, which was followed by Biden’s commitment to provide advanced F-16 fighter jets during the G7 leaders’ summit in Japan.
Economic Cooperation Between UK and US
While the unresolved issue of a free-trade deal between the UK and the US looms in the background, Sunak’s spokesperson clarified that it would not be on the agenda for the upcoming meeting.
However, the UK has already signed trade agreements with several US states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Indiana. Additionally, the UK is actively seeking closer trading partnerships with California and Texas, while exploring discussions with Utah and Oklahoma.
Prior to the G7 summit, Sunak previously met with Biden during the US President’s visit to Northern Ireland, where they commemorated the 25th anniversary of the 1998 peace deal. It is expected that Sunak, who previously hosted Jill Biden at a Downing Street event, will also attend the NATO leaders’ summit in July along with the US President.
