Rishi Sunak welcomed Joe Biden to Downing Street this morning. The leaders engaged in discussions regarding the progress made since the announcement of the Atlantic Declaration, a groundbreaking framework for the economic partnership between the UK and the US, which was unveiled last month.
Since their last meeting at the White House, the UK and the US have embarked on collaborative efforts. Including the initiation of a UK-US Critical Minerals Agreement and the establishment of the Joint Action Group on Energy Security. These initiatives aim to strengthen clean energy supply chains and ensure the secure availability of critical minerals. To drive forward the objectives outlined in the Atlantic Declaration, the Prime Minister and President Biden agreed to hold the first high-level meeting between Number 10 and White House representatives in October.
Upcoming AI Summit, NATO and Ukraine Defence
This meeting will serve as a platform for advancing the shared goals and aspirations of both nations. During the discussions, Prime Minister Sunak provided an update on the upcoming UK AI Summit, scheduled to take place this autumn. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for President Biden’s unwavering support for this important event. In anticipation of the NATO Summit this week, the Prime Minister and President Biden emphasized the need to bolster the alliance and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine.
The leaders discussed the ongoing counter-offensive and stressed the significance of international partners in committing to Ukraine’s long-term defence. The importance of providing the necessary support to Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace was underscored. In addition to Ukraine, the leaders also delved into broader NATO issues. Particularly focusing on Sweden’s path to full accession. Both Prime Minister Sunak and President Biden highlighted the importance of facilitating a swift process for Sweden’s integration into the alliance. The discussion expanded to encompass the broader geopolitical landscape, including the Indo-Pacific region and the situation with Iran.