The two countries hope to demonstrate that the US-UK relationship remains as strong as ever despite the recent political and economic upheaval in the UK.
US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak began a broad dialogue at the White House on Thursday, vowing to work in harmony in a world that adapts to rapid economic, political and technological change.
The two leaders’ Oval Office talks are likely to cover the war in Ukraine, China, economic security or international cooperation in regulating the growing field of artificial intelligence.
The two have met four times since Rishi Sunak became prime minister in October, but the talks in Washington will give the two leaders a chance for their most sustained interaction to date. “Let’s put our values first,” Joe Biden said.
Rishi Sunak admitted that this will be the most important meeting between the two. The visit to Washington is the first by the British official since he became Britain’s Prime Minister.
“Our economies are undergoing perhaps the greatest transformation since the Industrial Revolution, as new technologies bring incredible opportunities, but also give our adversaries more tools,” Rishi Sunak said.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, now 15 months old, is expected to be high on the agenda. The United States and the United Kingdom are the two largest donors to the Ukraine war effort and play a central role in a long-term effort announced last month to train and eventually equip Ukrainian pilots with F-16 fighter jets.
Rishi Sunak also intends to advocate with Joe Biden for UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace to succeed outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who will end his term at the helm of the 31-member alliance in September. . Jens Stoltenberg will meet Biden in Washington on Monday, and the alliance leaders will meet in Lithuania on July 11-12 for their annual summit.
“The United States and the United Kingdom have come together to support Ukraine,” Joe Biden said at the start of the meeting.
Joe Biden recalled that the two countries were together in the most difficult moments of the modern era and recalled the meetings that Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt held at the White House.
“Prime Minister Churchill and Roosevelt met here a little over 70 years ago and affirmed that the strength of the partnership between Great Britain and America was the strength of the free world,” Joe Biden told Rishi Sunak, adding: “I continue to thinking there is truth in that statement”.
The British leader aims to make the UK a key player in artificial intelligence and has announced that his government will bring together politicians, scientists and technology executives for a summit on artificial intelligence and security.
Rishi Sunak said that he understands that it is vitally important to ensure that new technologies are harnessed for the good of humanity.
Rishi Sunak’s visit comes at a time when US and British intelligence services are still trying to determine who is to blame for the failure of a large dam in southern Ukraine, which flooded villages and farmland. Neither Washington nor London have officially accused Russia of blowing up the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam.
The two countries hope to demonstrate that the US-UK relationship remains as strong as ever despite the recent political and economic upheaval in the UK.
Rishi Sunak is one of three British prime ministers Biden has dealt with since taking office in 2021, and the administrations have been at odds over Brexit and its impact on Northern Ireland.
Source: Observadora
