U.S President Joe Biden is scheduled to host British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak at the White House next week for discussions on Ukraine, climate issues, trade amongst others.
Sunak will fly to the U.S on June 7, 2023 and is due to visit the White House the following day. He will also meet with U.S. lawmakers and business leaders in addition to his Oval Office meeting with Biden on June 8, 2023.
The meeting comes after the White House announced earlier this month that Biden has endorsed an international effort forged by the U.K. and other allies to train, and eventually equip Ukraine with the F-16 fighter jets that President Volodymyr Zelesnkky has long requested.
White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre disclosed, “Building on their recent engagements, the two leaders will review a range of global issues, including their steadfast support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s brutal war of aggression, as well as further action to bolster energy security and address the climate crisis.
“The President and the Prime Minister will discuss efforts to continue strengthening our economic relationship as we confront shared economic and national security challenges. They will also review developments in Northern Ireland as part of their shared commitment to preserving the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.”
White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre.
In April, Biden spent four days in Ireland to commemorate 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement, the deal which brought an end to the decades-long Troubles conflict. The U.S President spent the majority of his time in the Republic of Ireland but also met Sunak in Belfast.
UK Not Seeking A Free-Trade Deal With U.S Currently
British officials downplayed hopes that the visit would produce significant action toward forging a new U.S.-U.K. trade agreement, which the British government accepts as dead for now.
Sunak Spokesman, Max Blain stated that he would not expect either side to be pushing for that, adding “We are not seeking to pursue a free-trade deal with the U.S. currently.” He stated that U.K was focusing instead on targeted agreements, for example on Scotch whiskey and with specific states.
The UK Prime Minister’s official Spokesman stated that the visit would focus on “enhancing the level of co-operation and co-ordination between the UK and US on the economic challenges that will define our future, including securing our supply chains and transitioning to zero-carbon economies.”
The U.S is a significant trading partner, accounting for 16.6% of total UK trade. The UK is still seeking closer economic ties with individual states, with talks taking place with Utah, Oklahoma, Texas and California.
Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves also visited Washington last week, where she met U.S Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen.
During her trip, Reeves spoke of her admiration of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which intends to lower rising prices by subsidizing green technology to encourage investment.
Government ministers have been more critical of the act, raising concerns that it could cause a slide into protectionism and harm other economies.
