PM Sunak to Seek Closer Economic Ties With US in White House Visit

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addresses journalists at the Western Jetfoil terminal in Dover, Kent, on June 5, 2023. PA

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is visiting the White House this week to seek closer economic ties with the United States, despite the Biden administration’s halt on discussions for a free-trade agreement.

This will be his first visit as Prime Minister to the White House, in which he will also discuss the war in Ukraine, the security of Taiwan, and the regulation of artificial intelligence.

It will be Sunak’s fourth meeting with the President in recent months and their most lengthy interaction to date.

During his two-day visit, Sunak is also expected to meet with congressional leaders and U.S. corporate executives, as well as attend a game of the Washington Nationals.

Sunak began started his visit on June 6, by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

UK Prime Minister Praises Ties With the US

The Prime Minister, like his immediate predecessors, has been trying to build stronger economic ties with the United States and bring it up to speed with their military alliance.

One of the most touted benefits of support for Brexit was the prospect of a free trade agreement with the United States.

Five rounds of talks were held between former President Donald Trump and successive Conservative governments before Biden terminated discussions.

This time, Sunak will not push for negotiations to restart talks with the Biden administration.

Before the trip, Sunak said that existing trade ties stood annually at $346 billion, of which $17.4 billion are new investments by American companies in Britain.

“We need to build an alliance that also protects our economies,” Sunak added.