Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sunak set to visit Washington next week for talks with Biden

The relationship between the two countries has faced strains following Britain’s departure from the European Union in 2020

Sunak set to visit Washington next week for talks with Biden

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is scheduled to engage in discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden, next week, focusing on enhancing economic relations and exploring avenues to provide ongoing military assistance to Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.

During his visit to Washington on Wednesday and Thursday, Sunak will hold meetings with Biden, members of Congress, and prominent U.S. business leaders. However, Sunak's spokesman clarified on Tuesday (30) that formal negotiations for a free trade agreement will not be part of the agenda.


"The visit will be an opportunity to build on the discussions that the prime minister and President Biden have had in recent months about enhancing the level of cooperation and coordination between the UK and U.S. on the economic challenges that will define our future," the spokesman said.

"There will also be an opportunity to discuss issues including sustaining our support for Ukraine."

On his inaugural official visit to Washington since assuming the role of prime minister in October, Sunak aims to foster improved relations with the US.

The relationship between the two countries has faced strains following Britain's departure from the European Union in 2020.

In April, there were speculations and concerns about President Biden's stance toward Britain when he spent a significant portion of his time in the British province of Northern Ireland before proceeding to the Irish Republic for an extensive series of meetings.

However, a White House official dismissed any notion of Biden being "anti-British" at that time.

The prospect of negotiating a free-trade agreement with the UK has lost momentum under the Biden administration, despite it being previously hailed by proponents of Brexit as one of the significant advantages of leaving the European Union.

Under the previous administration of President Donald Trump, discussions regarding a potential trade deal had advanced. However, progress slowed following President Biden's assumption of office, ultimately leading to a pause in the talks.

On Tuesday, Sunak's spokesperson confirmed that the upcoming visit would focus on exploring alternative methods to reduce trade barriers, such as establishing agreements with individual U.S. states.

Additionally, the White House issued a statement indicating that the leaders would also address the situation in Northern Ireland, which has experienced a lack of devolved government for over a year.

The relationship between Britain and the US is founded on strong connections in defense, intelligence, economy, and culture. The two nations largely align in their support for Ukraine.

Sunak graciously accepted Biden's invitation to visit the White House, extended in March following an amicable meeting in San Diego to launch the AUKUS submarine alliance involving the United States, Britain, and Australia.

During their initial meeting, the two leaders seemed to establish a positive rapport, with Biden acknowledging Sunak's educational background as a graduate of Stanford University.

Additionally, Biden expressed interest in visiting Sunak's residence in Santa Monica, which he still owns.

(Reuters)

More For You

China pledges to be a good friend and partner to Bangladesh

Xi Jinping

China pledges to be a good friend and partner to Bangladesh

THE Chinese president, Xi Jinping, last Friday (28) pledged deeper cooperation with his Bangladeshi counterpart Muhammad Yunus in a meeting that came as Dhaka seeks new friends to offset frosty ties with India.

Yunus took charge of Bangladesh last August after the toppling of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to New Delhi after a student-led uprising.

Keep ReadingShow less
Milton-Keynes

Eyewitnesses described hearing shouting before the shooting

iStock

Man shot dead by police outside Milton Keynes railway station

A MAN was shot dead by police outside Milton Keynes Central station after reports that he was carrying a firearm.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) said officers were called to the station at 12:55, where they challenged a suspect carrying a knife. The man moved towards officers before police fired at him.

Keep ReadingShow less
EXCLUSIVE: Eastern Eye wins press freedoms to help judges

SCRUTINY: The tribunal’s favourable verdict is an important win for accountability, say current and retired Asian judges (Pic credit: Getty Images/Leon Neal)

EXCLUSIVE: Eastern Eye wins press freedoms to help judges

A tribunal has ordered the body which appoints judges in England and Wales to disclose records it refused to give to Eastern Eye.

The decision is a major victory for press freedoms because it forces the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to become more open and transparent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sunita-Williams-Reuters

Sunita Williams was part of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission and had been stranded in space for over nine months. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters)

India looks amazing from space, says Sunita Williams

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams described India as "amazing" from space and expressed her intention to visit her "father's home country" to share her experiences on space exploration.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, she responded to a question about how India appeared from space and the possibility of collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims-iStock

The study noted that this identification was not due to any doctrinal obligation but was influenced by the perception that many Muslims do not feel fully accepted as British. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Majority of British Muslims identify by faith first, study finds

A STUDY by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has found that most British Muslims identify primarily with their religion rather than their nationality.

The research, based on a survey of 815 British Muslim adults by Whitestone Insight, revealed that 71 per cent of respondents identified as Muslim first, while 27 per cent identified as British, English, or Scottish first.

Keep ReadingShow less