In a significant diplomatic encounter, US President Joe Biden is set to welcome British PM Rishi Sunak to the White House on Thursday. This visit marks Sunak's first trip to the White House since assuming the role of British PM. During his two-day visit to Washington, Sunak will engage in extensive discussions with President Biden, primarily focusing on the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The visit underscores Britain's commitment to being a crucial American ally in a post-Brexit era, particularly in the face of rising authoritarian regimes worldwide.
Overview
While this marks the fourth meeting between the two leaders since Sunak assumed office in October, the talks in Washington are expected to be the most comprehensive yet.
The Oval Office discussions between Sunak and Biden will encompass a range of significant topics, including the Ukraine conflict, China, economic security, international collaboration on the regulation of artificial intelligence, and other pressing issues.
Expressing the importance of the strong ties between the UK and the US, Sunak has also planned meetings with key US business leaders and members of Congress. Highlighting the significance of their partnership in addressing contemporary challenges, Sunak stated, "They are indisputably our closest partner when it comes to trade, defense and security cooperation, diplomatic alliance, and tomorrow I'll be talking about strengthening that economic cooperation."
Sunak's visit to Washington commenced on Wednesday, beginning with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. He met with influential legislative leaders and business executives, including Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Additionally, Sunak attended a baseball game featuring the Washington Nationals, further emphasizing the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Parallel to the visit, Republican Representative Chris Smith and Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, wrote to Sunak, urging collaboration with the Biden administration on Hong Kong policy and the prioritization of the release of imprisoned media tycoon Jimmy Lai and other activists. This correspondence highlights the importance of coordinated efforts between the UK and the US on key international matters.
Productive meetings at The Capitol. Here’s what we discussed 👇
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 7, 2023
➡️ In tough times, the US and UK have prevailed when we’ve stood together
➡️ We now need to reimagine our alliance for the new challenges of today
➡️ That means partnering to improve shared economic security pic.twitter.com/liBTovzWQj
Sunak on Russia-Ukraine War
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted that the 15-month-old Russian invasion of Ukraine will be at the “top of [their] mind.” “The two leaders will review a range of global issues, including our economic partnership or shared support of Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s war of aggression, as well as further action to accelerate the clean energy transition,” she added.
The recent collapse of a major dam in southern Ukraine intensified the urgency of the matter. While neither the US nor the UK has publicly accused Russia of triggering the dam disaster, British intelligence services are still assessing the information. Sunak condemned the breach, saying, “If it does prove to be intentional, it will represent a new low [...] an appalling barbarism on Russia’s part.”
The US and the UK are the two most significant contributors to Ukraine’s war effort, and both countries play a crucial role in a long-term plan unveiled last month to train and eventually equip Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
Sunak on AI, Supply Chain, and Clean Energy
Sunak is determined to establish the UK as a leader in artificial intelligence and has announced that his government would host a summit on AI safety, gathering together politicians, scientists, and tech executives. He emphasised the need to harness “paradigm-shifting new technologies” for the greater good of humanity. “No one country can do this alone,” Sunak said. “This is going to take a global effort.”
British PM stated that a new alliance would help London and Washington secure supply chains and navigate a global economy where new powers are “manipulating global markets, withholding crucial resources, and trying to establish a stranglehold over the industries that will define our future.
Sunak is also seeking to persuade Biden to nominate UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace to succeed outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who is slated to end his term in September.
The Biden administration believes the US-UK relationship is stronger after Boris Johnson’s predominantly difficult tenure and Liz Truss’ 45-day premiership.
Max Bergmann, director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies Europe, Russia, and Eurasia programme stated, “I think there’s a sense of relief to some degree, not just in the White House, but throughout Washington, that the Sunak government has been very pragmatic and maintained the UK’s robust commitment to Ukraine and to increasing defence spending.”